The HSE is planning to reduce weekend and evening addiction services as well as relocating some services in the greater Dublin area, IMN has learned.
Local HSE management is currently engaged in a consultation process with unions on the issue, which is being progressed amid plans to reduce HSE overtime and agency costs.
“The proposed plans include the reduction in the number of times a clinic opens in a location, and in some instances relocation of services. This timing of this is contingent on the outcome of the decision of the Labour Relations Commission,” a spokesperson for the HSE stated.
Unions and HSE management have been engaged in talks on the matter at the LRC for a number of months.
Workers, such as general assistants, in the affected addiction services are opposed to a reduction in their working hours.
IMN understands that the HSE has already stopped some evening clinics in the Northside of Dublin. Addiction services in South Dublin and along the east coast have already undergone change through the amalgamation of clinics.
According to a review of addiction services in Dublin North East, published last year and conducted in 2012, there were 164 staff members working in Dublin north city and county addiction services.
Source: Niamh Cahill, Irish Medical News, 15/09/14
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