Fórsa has sought engagement with the Department of Health following the announcement last week that the Minister for Health has redesignated a number of Section 39 adult hospices to Section 38 status. The redesignation is to take place before the end of 2022.

The Minister redesignated four voluntary hospice providers: Marymount Care Centre, Milford Care Centre, Galway Hospice and St. Francis Hospice, which means all voluntary adult hospices are now aligned to Section 38. This means staff in these agencies will have the same terms and conditions of employment as their counterparts working directly for the HSE.

Responding to the announcement, Fórsa’s head of Health & Welfare Ashley Connolly said the Minister’s decision was welcome, and the union would immediately seek engagement with the Department about the decision: “This provides hospices with a more sustainable funding situation, and that helps to improve the situation regarding the recruitment and retention of staff in a vital health service,” she said.

Research published by Fórsa last year revealed annual staff turnover in Section 39 bodies (community and voluntary sector agencies delivering health services and grant-funded by the HSE) is at an average of 33%.

The trend was confirmed in employments in Cork, Kerry, Mayo and Galway during last month’s series of industrial actions in a number of Section 39 agencies, including Enable Ireland and Ability West. Most staff leaving Section 39 agencies are moving to employment in Section 38 bodies or to the HSE.

The Minister said the redesignation of hospices reflects his desire to ensure that the sustainability of core services, like palliative care, is protected into the future.

Ashley added: “Funded agencies delivering vital health services, such as disability, face the same sustainability challenge. In a Dáil debate two weeks ago the minister acknowledged the role and responsibilities of the Government as the main funder - or often sole funder - to agencies in the sector. This suggests a deeper discussion must take place on the sustainability of other vital health services delivered by the voluntary sector,” she said.

Most palliative care services are provided by voluntary hospices. The Department of Health is to carry out an evaluation of the redesignation to ensure an appropriate level of resources are secured and to assist in the transition to section 38 service level agreements.

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