This article is from page 4 of the 2014-04-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
ABSENTEEISM within the health services in the mid-west, which includes County Clare, is almost twice the national target.
While no specific reason was given to explain why the figures in the region are so high, HSE area manager Bernard Gloster said “we have reduced it substantially and there is more to come, because it drives our agency costs through the roof and that is a major cost for us.”
The national target for absenteeism in the HSE is 3.5 per cent, but in the mid-west it is approximately 6.4 per cent, higher than the national average at 4.71 per cent.
“I make no apology for saying to anybody that one of the biggest demands and pressures on the staffing resourses in the mid-west remains the one focusing on absenteeism. First thing I will say on our rate of approximately 6.4 per cent in terms of the measurements and instruments we use to focus on that, is that is down from over 8 per cent and in some cases it was nine per cent so we have had a very significant focus on that,” he said. “We have where appropriate used the application of the disciplinary procedure and that is not something I consider necessarily a badge to wear on the sleeve, but when we are challenged by certain situations we are not shy in dealing with them. We have an increasingly robust focus on absent management.”
The HSE boss said that there were also a number of very genuine longterm absentee cases.
“I equally want to say on the positive balance side to be fair on staff themselves, my experience is that the majority of staff that have been out sick have a very genuine and sincere illness and reason and they don’t have repeat patterns. You would be surprised when I go to look behind some of the absenteeism figures, the number of young staff who have had incidents of cancer,” he said.
“That is why you maintain the balance with sensitivity but I can assure you in relation to the ones that are more challenging we are well on the game, we are reducing the percentage.”
Michael O’CONNELL
, 31Tullyglass Hill, Shannon. Funeral Mass today (Tuesday) at Mary Immaculate Church, Shannon at 11am, followed by burial in Illaunamanagh Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Sean WARD
, Ugoon,Tulla.At Milford Hospice. Service at Smyth’s Funeral Home in Feakle on Tuesday at 11am, with burial afterwards in Feakle Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace.
Michael CAREW
, Castlebank, Launch Bar, Limerick,Ardnacrusha. Laid to rest in Relig Lua Cemetry Killaloe. Donations if desired to Cancer Research. May he rest in peace.
Patrick (Paddy) KENNEDY
, Parnell Street, Ennis. Funeral Director, Parnell Street, Ennis. Peacefully at the Galway Clinic. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. Donations if desired to a charity of your choice. May he rest in peace.
Patrick (Paddy) MCINERNEY
, Carrowmore, Mullagh. Suddenly. Laid to rest in Clohanes Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Senan RYAN
, Carnacalla, Kilrush. Laid to rest in Old Shanakyle Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Margaret KELLY
, Shannon. Unexpectedly, at Cork University Hospital. Laid to rest in St Finbarr’s Cemetery, Dunmanway. May she rest in peace.
Shirley MCNEVIN (née O’Doherty)
, 11 Corrovorrin Green, Ennis. Peacefully at the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Teresa BLAKE (née McNamara)
, Ennis, Peacefully at home. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
James (Jimmy) BROHAN
, Cloughleigh Road, Ennis. Suddenly. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Margaret COEN (née Flynn)
, London, and Shannon. Formerly of Creevaghbawn,Tuam. laid to rest in Creevaghbawn Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Michael (Mick) ENRIGHT
, Doonbeg, Retired Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. Peacefully in his 93rd year. Laid to rest Esker Cemetery in Dublin. May he rest in peace.
John ENRIGHT,
Inchmore, Inch, Ennis. Laid to rest in Clarehill Cemetery, Clarecastle. May he rest in peace.
Steven KAVANAGH
, 35 Derryvinna, Clonlara. Laid to rest in Doonass Cemetery. Donations if desired to Search & Rescue. May he rest in peace.
Mary CONSIDINE (née Brody)
, Kilshanny. Laid to rest in Kilshanny Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Vincent (Snr) CROWLEY
, Moyadda and late of Ennis Road, Kilrush. Laid to rest in NewShanakyle Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Kilrush Community Hospital. May he rest in peace.
Betty McMAHON (née Kelly)
, 11 Derryvinna, Clonlara. Late of Templemore, CoTipperary. Laid to rest in Doonass Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Patrick (Pat) HANRAHAN
,Ard Aoibhinn, Limerick Road, Ennis. Late of Harahan’s Supermarket, Clonroadmore, Ennis. Peacefully at Carrigoran Nursing Home. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. Donations if desired to the Clare branch of Alzheimer’s Society. May he rest in peace.
Mary Bridget HOWARD (née Breen)
, Tarmon, Knockerra, Kilrush. Peacefully at Cahercalla Hospital,Ennis. Laid to rest in Knockerra cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Cahercalla Hospital, Ennis. May she rest in peace.
Sadie McSWEENEY (née Sweeney)
, Wood Road, Cratloe. Laid to rest in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Dublin. May she rest in peace.
Sean O’HALLORAN
, Noughaval, Kilfenora. Peacefully, at home. Laid to rest at Noughaval cemetry. House Private onWednesday morning. May he rest in peace.
James (Jimmy) O’LEARY
, Poplarville, Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus. Peacefully at the MidWestern Regional Hospital Limerick. Laid to rest in Fenloe Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Clarecastle Day Care Centre. May he rest in peace.