THE UL Hospitals Group has put a scheme in place to help find accommodation and get new staff settled as part of their ongoing international recruitment drive.
Details of the plan were revealed to the Limerick Post after a doctor in the University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL) revealed how he has been couch surfing and has to leave his wife and new baby in Cavan in order to commute to work.
In an interview with Independent.ie, Dr Hussein Ahmed (31), a neonatal registrar with a one-month-old daughter, said he could end up on the street.
Since starting work at UMHL, Dr Ahmed has been unable to find accommodation for himself and his family.
His wife Nayab and baby Zainab are living in rented accommodation in Cavan, a 476km round-trip, while he is staying in a friend’s home in Limerick.
“I have a wife and a one-month-old baby,” Dr Ahmed told Independent.ie. “I’ve been looking for a family apartment since March. There are some shared apartments, but that won’t work with my wife and a new baby, who’s crying at any time of the day or night.”
“I haven’t been able to find anything and have contacted 50 people, including estate agents. There’s nothing at all.”
“It’s got to the point that I’m thinking that my wife should go back home to Pakistan because she’s alone in Cavan with our baby,” he said.
After being contacted for comment about the situation by the Limerick Post, a spokesman for the UL Hospitals Group (ULGH) said that the Group is aware of the difficulties facing new staff and a plan has been put in place to help.
“In this region, UL Hospitals Group has significantly invested in improving capacity and infrastructure for the recruitment of all staff categories,” the spokesman said.
“Earlier this year the HSE announced the approval of an international recruitment relocation package, which includes an allowance towards accommodation for potential candidates who meet the pre-set eligibility criteria.”
The relocation package includes allowances payable to candidates to meet initial costs of relocating. In relation to the NCHDs (non-consultant hospital doctors), UL Hospitals Group provides a comprehensive pre-employment pack and bespoke NCHD induction as part of the onboarding process.
“Our Medical Manpower department assists NCHDs with contact details for letting agencies; accommodation providers who let single rooms in houses; and information from outgoing NCHDs,” the spokesman continued.
“New staff from other disciplines who are unable to secure accommodation locally are also assisted and supported through their respective directorates.
“NCHDs are a very valued and integral part of the UL Hospitals Group workforce.”
