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Ireland’s economic miracle hasn’t spared it from workforce woes

Ireland has seen significant wage inflation as its economy has grown over the past decade, which is attracting talent from overseas. But local imaging operators tell us this isn’t happening quickly enough to fill workforce gaps. There are significant shortages of radiologists and radiographers, as well as most other categories of health care workers.

Workforce woes beckon in a winter of discontent

Winter is coming, and for the health care sector the end of the year could see a weary workforce and soaring costs push some groups to breaking point. HBI speaks to a selection of operators, analysts and advisers to understand how groups are planning for the potentially difficult months ahead.

Staff “threaten to quit” UK care home giant over pay

UK nursing home operator HC-One faces a potential staffing disaster with reports that nearly 40% of its workforce is threatening an exodus over “poverty pay”. The GMB union demands a real living wage for all staff at the ‘kind care company’, however, HC-One disputes this survey figure. HBI investigates. 

Bankruptcies, closures, and scandals: the bleak state of European nursing homes

Across Europe, nursing homes are in crisis. Between scandals in France, insolvencies in Germany, the threat of regulation in Spain, and fair fee woes in the UK, HBI hears that the nursing home sector is the least attractive healthcare services sector for investors. Are things really that bad - and is the threat of mass bankruptcies real?

Voyage Care seeks new CEO and CFO

Voyage Care, the UK’s largest provider of support for people with learning disabilities by revenue, is on the hunt for a new CEO and CFO. Andrew Cannon - who has served as CEO for the last eight years - will remain in position until a successor has been found.

Saudi dentists fired for cheaper replacements

Saudi dentistry is seeing significant revenue growth, but HBI hears there are teething problems with significant numbers of experienced clinicians being kicked out in favour of less qualified - and cheaper - new graduates.

FREE BLOG Temperature-check on whistleblowing cultures

In the UK, the conviction of neonatal nurse Lucy Letby for the murder and attempted murder of numerous infants has shaken the healthcare industry. Many co-workers have since spoken publicly about how their suspicions, although raised, were dismissed by the very institutions meant to prevent harm. 

Italy’s nursing crisis causes wage spike as government looks abroad for help

Italy has historically been less affected by the health care workforce crisis gripping much of Europe, but HBI hears post-Covid pressure has created a nursing crisis which has seen wages shoot up, and led prime minister Giorgia Meloni to look abroad. Most recently she has signed an agreement with the Caribbean island of Cuba to fix her growing workforce challenge. This is the latest in a series of deals and rule relaxations designed to help funnel talent into Western Europe.

Fico returns in Slovakia – should investors be worried?

Just in time for Halloween, Robert Fico is back. The former Slovakian prime minister who tried to renationalise insurer Dôvera has led his populist centre-left party to win the most seats in Slovakia’s 2023 elections. But a Slovak operator source tells HBI the private sector need not worry as even if Fico forms a government, it is unlikely to be the horror show some fear.

FREE BLOG Do you need a health care background to be a great health care CEO?

Anyone who’s been paying attention to new appointments in the for-profit healthcare sector will have picked up on an interesting emerging trend: executives being poached from outside industries. It raises an interesting question: do you need to have a background in healthcare to be a healthcare leader?

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