HSE redeploys pregnant paramedic

A HSE PARAMEDIC was put on leave after revealing her pregnancy – but was given a new post when her sister contacted RTÉ’s Liveline yesterday, it has been claimed.

The woman was offered an alternative position moments before her sister Anne was due to go on air to speak to Joe Duffy about her plight.

According to Anne, her sister was told she could no longer work because HSE safety rules preclude pregnant women from working as paramedics, and then she was told no other work was available.

‘From employment law, the first 21 days of health and safety leave are covered and you’re paid for that, but after that then you don’t get any pay,’ Anne said. ‘She’s the main breadwinner in her house. She needs to pay her bills so it’s quite a difficult situation.’

Anne said that the HSE informed her sister that they could not find another position for her while she was pregnant.

Anne added that her sister was offered a new HSE job moments before she went on air, but she continued with the interview to raise awareness. Liveline said it had been contacted by two other women who were in the same situation.

In a statement, the HSE said that such decisions are based solely on health and safety concerns. ‘When an employee notifies their manager that they are pregnant, under health and safety legislation, there is a requirement to perform a pregnancy risk assessment,’ they said in a statement.

‘Due to the nature of a front-line emergency paramedic role the outcome of a risk assessment can show that such a role is not safe to continue in,’ the statement added.

The HSE explains on its website that when a risk is identified, the employer must eliminate the risk or adjust the work.

If the employer cannot eliminate the risk, the employee must change or adapt the work practices, including changes to shift patterns or work location.

The employee must be granted health and safety leave in accordance with Section 18 of the Maternity Protection Act, 1994.

Health and safety leave is 21 paid days off and is only granted if the previous risk-reduction steps cannot be implemented.