Government missing a Brexit trick when it comes to nursing shortage

Labour Party Leader and spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Brendan Howlin TD, has criticised the HSE for failing to capitalise on Brexit concerns to attract nurses to Ireland.

Deputy Howlin said:

“It is clear through figures released today that show that just three nurses have been recruited through the ‘Bring them Home’ campaign so far this year, that the HSE is failing to entice Irish nurses home.

“In order to attract Irish nurses home and recruit nurses who are leaving the NHS due to Brexit uncertainty, the Government must set out a clear strategy of investment in nursing; including on pay, training and the work environment.

“While Brexit has many negative implications for our country, we could use this situation to our advantage to bridge the gap in staff shortages across our health service.

“There is a real opportunity here for Ireland to market itself as the alternative to Britain for healthcare professionals.

“The Minister for Health and his Department should be actively reaching out to EU healthcare professionals and encouraging them to consider Ireland as an option for employment while the uncertainties of Brexit rumble on. 

“If we are to end the staffing crisis in our health service, the Government needs to be more proactive when it comes to attracting quality staff to our healthcare system and deal with the issues around pay and conditions.”