Newly qualified midwife bravely speaks out over 'urgent concerning situation' at Galway hospital
She said ‘the situation is extremely difficult to understand’
A newly qualified midwife has bravely spoken out over an “urgent and concerning situation” that she and her fellow classmates are currently facing at University Hospital Galway.
Alyssa Shackleton and other midwives should be starting their new careers in midwifery after completing their education at University of Galway.
Instead, they find themselves facing a recruitment freeze which is stopping them from being offered positions in the hospital.
But what is even more frustrating for the group is that the Director of Midwifery at the hospital has confirmed that there are 23 vacant midwifery posts that need filling.
Speaking on behalf of the newly qualified midwives from the University of Galway, Alyssa said “the situation is extremely difficult to understand”.
She said: “I am writing to my local TDs to raise an urgent concern regarding the current situation facing newly qualified midwives who have completed their internships this week.
“We have now successfully completed our internships and qualified as registered midwives, yet we are being informed by HR that there is currently a recruitment freeze and that positions will not be offered to us.
“As a result, a group of newly qualified midwives are now unemployed, despite having completed our training and despite an apparent need for midwives within the health service.
”Following discussions with the Director of Midwifery (DOM) in Galway University Hospitals, we have been informed that there are currently 23 vacant midwifery posts in Galway Hospital.”
Alyssa states that given the level of vacancies, it is very difficult to understand the “justification for a recruitment freeze that prevents newly qualified midwives from being offered employment”.
She continued: “We have invested years of education, training and clinical experience to qualify as midwives, and we have now reached the point where we are ready and willing to work within the health service.
“Instead, we have been left unemployed with no clear information, timeline or plan regarding when positions may become available. We feel that this is completely unacceptable, particularly at a time when there are significant staffing pressures and vacant midwifery positions within our hospitals.
“It is also extremely concerning that newly qualified healthcare professionals are being left without employment after completing their internships, while vacant posts reportedly remain unfilled.”
Alyssa has asked local TDs to raise the issue immediately with the Minister for Health as they search for clarification on: The basis for the current recruitment freeze affecting newly qualified midwives; why vacant midwifery posts are not being filled; what plans are in place to employ the newly qualified midwives who have completed their internships and when they can realistically expect a resolution and clear communication regarding employment.
She finished by saying: “We would greatly appreciate if you could bring this matter directly to the attention of the Minister for Health and seek an urgent response on our behalf.
“We have worked hard to qualify as midwives and want nothing more than to begin our careers and provide care to women and families within our health service.
“It is incredibly frustrating and disheartening to be left unemployed when there are reportedly vacant posts available. We would be grateful for any assistance you can provide in ensuring that this issue is addressed urgently.”