Galway Bay fm newsroom - A city councillor has queried senior Saolta Group officials on the rate of absenteeism at the city's public hospitals.
The matter was raised at Regional Health Forum level where members were advised that the rate of sick leave stood at just over 4 percent at GUH at the end of January.
Councillor Conneely questioned the rate of absenteeism at management level which stood at 4.28% in January.
Chief Operating Officer Ann Cosgrove said management includes frontline staff who are more exposed.
She added that outbreaks of influenza and norovirus in the community also have a knock-on effect on the entire staff of 3,800.
Ms. Cosgrove stated promoting good attendance is a key focus on each hospital site and is monitored closely.
The meeting also heard that 622 HSE West employees attended the occupational health service last year for work-related stress.
These workers were referred by their line manager or by self-referral.
