The HSE has acknowledged that student nurses were sent to one of Ireland’s worst-hit nursing homes during the pandemic.
Chronic staff shortages at St Mary’s Hospital in Dublin’s Phoenix Park caused a need for cover staff and students were drafted in to help out.
The information was revealed in documents given to Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd, with details published in the Sunday Independent yesterday.
A HSE spokeswoman said: “The HSE would like to acknowledge the incredible role that all staff in St Mary’s Hospital have played during COVID-19, including student nurses who chose to work in partnership with other healthcare workers, and under the supervision of nursing staff.
“These students volunteered on foot of an announcement in April, by the Minister for Health, on the temporary hiring of nursing and midwifery students as Health Care Assistants as part of the national public health emergency response to COVID-19.
“This involved temporary payment on the Health Care Assistant Scale.
“HSE Community Healthcare Organisation Dublin North City and County (CHO DNCC) employed student nurses who opted to work as part of the initiative, some were assigned to St Mary’s Hospital.
“The employment of student nurses in St Mary’s Hospital was completely compliant with the HSE circulars that governed this arrangement at the time.
“CHO DNCC thanks the student nurses who continue to play an invaluable role supporting their nursing colleagues in locations including St Mary’s Hospital.
“Their dedication, hard work and contribution was and continues to be of great benefit to residents and the wider team.”
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s Health Spokesperson David Cullinane slammed the move.
He said: “Throughout this pandemic, thousands of student nurses have bravely worked long, exhausting shifts, to keep our families and our communities safe.
“Despite the potential risks to themselves, they were willing to be exposed to COVID-19 to help others.
“Today’s revelations are yet more proof of the essential work that they do. They are the backbone of our healthcare system. They deserve fair pay and conditions.”
