Union Raises Concerns Over Queen’s University Dental Staff
The University College Union has raised concerns about staff welfare at Queen’s University, Belfast after the university was criticised for failing to fill staff vacancies.
The university was criticised in a report from the dental council; the report said that there was a number of unfilled posts in the School of Dentistry and the union responded to the council review saying that staff are under so much pressure that patient care could be compromised.
The union claimed that senior management have issues to face and union president, Professor Mike Larkin said that “patients must be better protected” and called for a recruitment drive at the university.
Professor Larkin said that he is sure that the intention to recruit good members of staff is there, but urged the university to act quickly to maintain high standards of care and provide additional support for existing members of staff.
The report compiled by the General Dental Council criticised the lack of vacant posts and claimed that the situation was particularly worrying because teaching loads had increased by up to 20 per cent in some cases. Inspectors at the GDC said that the course was “in an extremely fragile state” and it was unlikely that staff would be able to continue coping with the workload they are currently handling.
In a statement, the university said that it was “pro-active” and “flexible” in its approach to recruiting new members of staff.
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