Non-frontline staff praised on vaccines
by Niall Shanahan
 
Fórsa assistant general secretary Chris Cully, who attends the HSE’s weekly vaccination progress meeting, said the vaccination programme is on course to meet its target of 240,000 vaccines this week.
Fórsa assistant general secretary Chris Cully, who attends the HSE’s weekly vaccination progress meeting, said the vaccination programme is on course to meet its target of 240,000 vaccines this week.

Fórsa, which represents health service clerical and admin staff, has praised the efforts of non-frontline healthcare staff in the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines.

 

The union’s head of Health and Welfare, Éamonn Donnelly, said the high volume of those registering for the vaccine, and making contact with the vaccine helpline, illustrated the workload involved.

 

“Since online registration opened up for those aged between 65 and 69 in mid-April, a total of 299,000 people have registered for the vaccine, of whom 40,000 have been provided with person-to-person helpline assistance by the HSE live helpline.

 

“In addition, there have been 23 recalibrations of the vaccine roll-out due to various circumstances, including interruptions in supply and clinical decisions taken with regard to the suitability of some vaccines to different cohorts. These changes create a significant administrative burden, but our members have continued to ensure a professional and well-organised response.

 

“The non-frontline staff responsible for this work are doing an exceptional job, and as their union we want them to know how proud we are of their efforts,” he said.

 

Éamonn added: “Our health system is composed of a wide range of dedicated professionals, delivering a diverse range of skills and services. Behind that delivery is a network of professional support that is rarely talked about, but ensures clinical services run as smoothly as possible.

 

“Clerical and administrative staff in health are always, for example, your first point of contact with health services, as indeed they are now in the vaccine roll-out efforts.

 

“They’ve continued, throughout the current phase of public health challenges, to coordinate the full range of clinical services and integrated community healthcare, as well as providing a range of specialised IT services, managing payroll and human resources.

 

“They are the home help coordinators and they’re at the frontline of child protection, and a community of professionals making sure vital healthcare supplies are to hand.

 

“Without this dynamic mix of dedicated workers, which make up approximately 11% of the total health and welfare workforce, none of these supports would be available to our clinical professionals. Together, they strive to keep the heart of our health system beating.

 

“Fórsa is proud to represent them, and commend them for their handling of the high volume of work necessary in rolling out these vaccines. It is crucial and valued work,” he said.

 

Vaccine progress

 

Fórsa assistant general secretary Chris Cully, who attends the HSE’s weekly vaccination progress meeting, said the vaccination programme is on course to meet its target of 240,000 vaccines this week. A total of 32 vaccination centres are now operating across the country and this number will increase to 38 by Sunday (9th May).

 

Chris added: “The 60 to 69 age cohort are set to have received their first vaccine dose by the end of May, and registration for the 480,000 people in the 50-59 age cohort opened up this week.”

 

A total of 2.1 million vaccines have been delivered to Ireland. As of Monday 3rd May, 1,621,870 doses of vaccine have been administered, with 30% of the population aged 16 years and older having had at least one dose.

 

Register to get a Covid-19 vaccine HERE.

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