The number of vacant posts at a Longford primary care centre has 'laid bare the scale of the crisis' in frontline health services. That's according to local Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke, who recently submitted a parliamentary question regarding staffing at Ballyminion Primary Care Centre. The response reveals there are currently eight vacancies at the Longford centre, with positions ranging from senior occupational therapists to speech and language professionals.
Several posts remain unfilled due to resignations and retirements, while others are impacted by sick leave and maternity leave. The response also confirmed some roles have been 'lost' due to the Government's Pay and Numbers strategy, which imposes a fixed employment ceiling across all health services, Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke says this is delaying care in Longford and immediate action must be taken:
