Latest news with #Tasc
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
HSE health app downloaded by 75,000 people since launch
Just over 75,000 people have downloaded the new HSE app since it was launched at the end of February. As part of its plan to digitise the health service, the HSE launched the State's first patient app, which gives people a simple and secure way to access their health information and a range of HSE services. It covers public hospitals and community services, but does not yet cover voluntary hospitals. However, it is envisaged the app will develop and evolve over time. The first version of the app includes public hospital appointments for maternity services, medical cards and European Health Insurance Cards, Covid and flu vaccination records and signposting to services and self-care supports. It also enables patients to carry a list of their current medications. READ MORE An HSE spokeswoman said there have been more than 75,000 downloads since February 25th. 'We continue to capture feedback from people using the app, which has been very positive to date. All feedback helps to inform future development,' she said. Last month, the Think-Tank for Action on Social Change (Tasc) published a review of the app, highlighting accessibility challenges. 'Certain groups are more likely to experience challenges with this platform due to factors such as digital literacy, access to compatible devices and a lack of universal design,' it said. 'Low-income households may lack smartphones or compatible devices, while shared-device users are limited by the App's one-profile-per-phone set-up.' Tasc also highlighted how rural populations could face connectivity issues, while people with disabilities and older people could face usability barriers. 'Language accessibility is also limited, as the platform is only available in English and Irish, excluding those who speak other languages,' it said. A verified MyGovID account is required to log into the app. Tasc said this may exclude 'new arrivals, young adults, and others without these credentials'. The HSE said it was continuously working to improve the accessibility of the app.
Irish Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Staff shortages and public perception leading to healthcare worker burnout, Fórsa research suggests
Ongoing staff shortages and a sense that the public negatively view the quality of service they provide is severely impacting staff morale in public health, a survey organised by trade union Fórsa suggests. Tasc , which carried out the research on behalf of the union, found a belief there was a 'disconnect' between management and staff, limited career development opportunities and a feeling their contribution was not appreciated among the other factors feeding into high levels of dissatisfaction. The survey, which was based on responses of almost 3,800 health workers, found more than two thirds of the respondents (68 per cent) believed staff morale was either low (43 per cent) or terrible (25 per cent). More than half (53 per cent) said morale was negatively impacting the quality of care being provided to patients and just over two thirds said the situation was contributing to them suffering from work-related stress. READ MORE Almost half (48 per cent) said the situation had worsened over the past two years despite what the HSE and Department of Health say have been substantial increases in healthcare budgets and staff numbers. Staff shortages persist in a wide range of health service areas, said senior Fórsa official Linda Kelly, and they 'have really increased the pressure on health and social care staff, and that has placed a heavy toll on staff morale'. 'Unfortunately, the research confirms what our members have been talking about over the last couple years with increasing frequency,' she said. 'Diminishing morale among existing staff is leading to burnout, and we can see this especially among those with longer service and experience. 'When experienced staff retire, or leave employment for other reasons, it represents a very significant loss of skills, an increase in workload for remaining staff, which further diminishes morale, and the cycle then continues. That's not sustainable,' she said. The research was presented to delegates at the Fórsa health sector conference in Letterkenny on Thursday. Ms Kelly told those attending the event the results should serve as 'a very loud alarm' for both the health service CEOs and the Minister for Health'.
Irish Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
ECJ rejection of Minimum Wages Directive would deal blow to social Europe programme
The annulling of the Adequate Minimum Wages Directive by the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) would be 'profoundly damaging' to the EU at a time when it is already under attack by 'far-right Eurosceptics', according to a new trade union-commissioned report by the social policy think tank, Tasc. The directive, which was transposed into law in Ireland last year, is under threat due to a case taken against its validity by Denmark, supported by Sweden. They argue the EU is exceeding its power to influence the setting of wage levels in member states. In January, advocate general Nicholas Emiliou issued an opinion in the case recommending that the directive be annulled in full. The court is not obliged to follow the recommendation but tends to in about two-thirds of instances. Despite this, the trade union movement has remained publicly optimistic the case will be rejected. The final judgment is expected within a matter of months. READ MORE The Tasc report, the EU Minimum Wage Directive and the Battle for Social Europe, which was commissioned by Ictu, Siptu and the Financial Services Union. suggests the directive is already having a significant impact across Europe towards achieving its primary goal, an increase in minimum rates of pay. In Ireland, unions see one of the mechanisms set out in the directive to achieve this – the extension of collective bargaining coverage to at least 80 per cent of the workforce – as a primary objective. As Ireland currently falls far short of this level, under the directive, the Government is required to produce an action plan before the end of the year on how to meet that goal. However, with the pending court decision, this is now in doubt. Launching the Tasc report on Tuesday, senior economist Oisín Gilmore said a decision to annul the directive would have far-reaching consequences for the EU, its member states and citizens. 'If the ECJ were to adopt [Mr] Emiliou's reasoning, it would not only undermine the directive,' he said, 'but it could also cast doubt on the legal foundation of other key EU rights, such as the right to annual paid leave and to pay replacement for maternity leave. 'Such an outcome would erode trust in the EU's ability to deliver on the promises of social justice and economic fairness that underpin its legitimacy'. Ictu general secretary Owen Reidy said the court should reject the case but that, even if it does not, both Ireland and the European Union must prioritise addressing low wages and in-work poverty. 'To this end, governments here and across Europe must enhance trade union rights and promote collective bargaining by improving union access to workplaces, implementing protections against union-busting and safeguarding union representatives from discrimination.'
