High number of vacant positions at Mayo hospital revealed

Up to 131 vacant staff positions currently exist at Mayo University Hospital, the HSE has revealed.

The information was furnished to Councillor Michael Kilcoyne at today's meeting of the HSE West Forum.

The vacancies included over 73 nurses and midwives.

The report makes worrying reading for a facility that is consistently under pressure to deal with high patient numbers.

The staff category breakdown of vacancies is as follows:

Nursing and midwifery (73.59), General Support (5), Management and Administration (13.5), Patient and Client Care (19)and HSCP (20.6).

Tony Canavan, chief executive officer, Saolta University Health Care Group, said on average posts are filled within six months.

"Due to lack of skilled candidates in specific disciplines, some posts may take longer to fill.

"Work permits, garda vetting, overseas clearance and occupational health clearance can delay start dates for successful candidates," he added.