The IMO is awaiting a Labour Court decision on staff compassionate leave in the HSE before raising the issue again with the Executive, the Medical Independent (MI) has been told.
The matter was discussed at the recent IMO AGM, where a motion on compassionate leave was passed by members.
The motion called on the HSE to re-engage with the Staff Panel of Trade Unions on compassionate leave and “to provide arrangements for such leave, which match those arrangements available to civil service employees”.
Speaking at the AGM, NCHD committee Chair Dr Paddy Hillery said the limited nature of compassionate leave available to doctors and other staff in the HSE was a serious issue.
“Currently the HSE allows for three days’ compassionate leave, but with a maximum of five days for the loss of a child or spouse,” Dr Hillery told delegates.
“I thankfully have never gone through it, but I don’t imagine I would be in a fit state to work safely five days after the loss of a spouse or a child.”
When contacted by MI, a HSE spokesperson said there had been recent movement on the issue.
“There has been engagement with the health service unions under the auspices of the WRC [Workplace Relations Commission] in relation to their bereavement leave claim and the matter has been referred to the Labour Court,” said the HSE spokesperson.
An IMO spokesperson said it is awaiting the outcome of this process.
“There was engagement and the matter was referred to the Labour Court after this motion was written. So [the] IMO will have to wait for a few weeks to see what the outcome of that is.”
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