Frontline healthcare workers and nurses in Munster were looking for 10 extra days annual leave, to, in some way compensate them for their difficult time during the Covid pandemic. Instead, they received a “Pandemic Gold Medal”.
According to CorkBeo, the medal was given to staff in maternity hospitals in Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford.
The medal is stamped ‘Covid-19 Pandemic 2020-2021’ and carries the logo of the HSE’s Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate, which oversees the network of maternity services run in partnership with the School of Medicine at UCC.
CorkBeo spoke about how a nurse, who didn’t want to give her name, contacted them to say that while they understood the sentiment behind the medals, the reaction of most health workers was – “Thanks – but medals don’t pay mortgages.” The nurse said the medal caused a lot of upset who are still awaiting news of paid leave or special bonuses.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is calling for nurses and midwives to get compensation for “their work and sacrifices during the COVID pandemic”.
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