Government’s response to macho misogynistic culture in the NAS is only tinkering at the edge
Government’s response to macho misogynistic culture in the NAS is only tinkering at the edge - The Labour Party
- Shocking misogyny in the NAS has been allowed by NAS management to continue for number of years. Investigation into senior management handling of these situations is necessary.
- Lack of urgent response to pleas by PHECC in 2025 for vital patient safety legislation speaks volumes about lack of seriousness Government is taking this vital part of the health service.
Labour Spokesperson for Health Marie Sherlock described Prime Time’s revelations about the treatment of some women in the NAS as horrifying and called into question the seriousness with which Government is taking this issue.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“While we should be talking about the 1860 staffing shortfall in the NAS’s workforce plan and the trojan work by the vast majority of paramedics on a daily basis, once again, a deeply alarming macho culture in the NAS is put into the spotlight.
“The manner in which women have been isolated and harassed in the NAS is horrifying and great credit must go to RTE Primetime for shining a light on the ongoing culture within the NAS.
“However I am very concerned that a macho misogynistic culture has been allowed prevail for a number of years and the Government response is now only tinkering at the edges.
“Alread we know that the NAS response to the leaked recordings containing vile references to staff from 5 years ago is completely inadequate.
“The NAS tell us the investigations are closed when the reality is that they are still ongoing and now at the WRC.
“Now we hear from women that they feel they cannot report bad behaviour because of the command and control culture in the NAS.
“The appointment of retired Brigadier General Maureen O’ Brien to review culture is welcome but unless the militaristic command and control culture is overturned with an emphasis on accountability and openess, then it is not clear real change will occur.
“We need an external investigation into what has happened and real changes made at the top of the organisation.
“Ultimately, the continuation of issues within the NAS and the revelations that PHECC pleas to the Minister of Health from last December, have gone unactioned. This reflects a Government that is not taking seriously the issues of pre hospital emergency response services.
“Despite that appeal to the Minister last December we see zero reference to any of the necessary legislative changes in the Government’s legislative programme.
“Currently, we have a voluntary fitness to practise register that desperately requires a legislative footing, there appears to be no clear recognition and protection of interns in their administration of medication, and there are wildly varying training durations for various grades in pre hospital emergency response service.
“These carry very real safety issues for patients at a time when they are most vulnerable.
“I have a very real concern that in their periodic review of PHECC, Government will try to take the easy option and fold these regulatory responsibilities into CORU. This would reflect a profound misunderstanding of how pre hospital emergency services operate and need to be regulated.”