National Rehab Hospital group to examine staff accommodation

The National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dún Laoghaire has established a working group to examine the availability of accommodation for prospective staff.

A spokesperson told the Medical Independent (MI): “At this point, there are no definitive statistics with regards to the shortage of, or high cost of, local accommodation impacting staff recruitment at the NRH, however there is a challenge in recruiting healthcare staff nationally and as part of the discussions around a national and international recruitment drive, the hospital is aware that challenges in securing affordable accommodation can be a vital factor in attracting potential staff to apply for vacancies.”

The working group is in the process of “information gathering” and is expected to revert with proposals by year-end. “This may include subsidised accommodation or accommodation on-site, however, at this time, no specific proposals have been completed for consideration by hospital management,” added the NRH spokesperson.

A “detailed update” on staff accommodation was provided in the CEO’s report at the NRH board meeting in May. The board was advised that an “internal group” would be set up to examine the matter. At the same meeting, “the lack of parking at the NRH campus was noted as a significant disincentive for new staff”, according to meeting minutes obtained under Freedom of Information law.

The NRH’s spokesperson told MI that patients and staff “enjoy free parking on-site”. They added: “With the opening of phase one of the new hospital development, on certain busy clinic days, availability of parking for staff can be challenging, however, the hospital promotes the ‘Smarter travel for workplaces’ scheme and is currently liaising with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council with a view to adding additional car parking spaces on the NRH campus.”