UPDATE: HSE says Tullamore Hospital workforce up 21% since 2020

THE workforce at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore has been increased by 21% since the start of 2020, the HSE said this afternoon (Thursday, October 10).

That means that 289 new whole-time equivalent staff were appointed, the HSE said. A recruitment ceiling on wholetime staff is in place, a spokesperson added.

The figures were released after workers across several staff sectors mounted a protest (pictured below by Ger Rogers Photo) outside the hospital at lunchtime on Thursday.

They said the demonstration had been organised to highlight the risks to patient safety at the hospital, stating those concerns were increasing because of a cap on recruitment.

PROTEST: https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/1626937/lunchtime-protest-by-workers-at-major-offaly-hospital.html

Responding, a HSE spokesperson for the Dublin and Midlands Region said it respected the right of all unions and professional groups to advocate.

“The region are engaged on an ongoing basis on safety and other aspects of workforce management,” the spokesperson said.

“The Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore has increased their workforce by 21% since the start of 2020. That is 289 new whole-time equivalent staff appointed.

“We welcome the additional developments to be funded in 2025, which will add additional HSE staff to our overall workforce.

“Each region now has its own ceiling of whole time equivalent staff and now within that ceiling can replace and recruit according to identified priorities across the services.

“There is a process in place to review these priorities and engagement is ongoing with the services.”