Redeployment to nursing homes agreed

Ireland’s biggest union, SIPTU, has reached agreement with Irish health service the HSE (Health Service Executive) which will allow health workers to move temporarily to nursing homes to tackle Covid-19 clusters. Transfers will be voluntary and those transferring will continue to be managed by the HSE and be provided with adequate PPE. SIPTU organiser Paul Bell said: “Our members want to help deal with the virus among the most vulnerable service users in the nursing home sector. However, until now, there was no protocol for members asked to provide assistance to private nursing homes.” The agreement was signed on 15 April.