Fórsa has written to the HSE, advising them that the current project plan on the proposed National Disability Authority's review of Children’s Disability Services is not fit for purpose and outlining its concerns.

The move comes following  engagement and consultation with workplace representatives working in Children’s Disability Services on the HSE provided project outline.

In a letter to the HSE on 11^th July, Fórsa national secretary Linda Kelly detailed the rationale which led to this conclusion.

Outlining the union’s position, she said Fórsa is of the view that an independent review of Children’s Disability Services is vital to restore public confidence in Children’s Disability Services, and the current project outline does not meet these requirements.

“It is entirely focused on avoiding the central issues that staff and parents are asking about, for example, whether this model is appropriate for the Irish context, what is the evidence base to support same, what resources, benchmarked internationally, are required to deliver the model, and what are the anticipated clinical outcomes of this model when properly resourced. Until such time as these core questions are addressed, our members cannot support the review,” she said.

Linda has long maintained that members voices should be at the crux of this project and encouraged members to get involved.

“It’s integral that the voices of our members working in Children’s Disability Services are at centre of this feedback to the proposed National Disability Authority Review of Children’s Disability Services. It’s vital that you and your colleagues are heard, I’m calling on members to get involved and become workplace reps at this time,” she said.

The next online workplace rep meeting for members working across Children’s Disability Services is scheduled for Tuesday 30th July from 12.30pm to 2pm.

Fórsa’s letter to the HSE can be read here.

Fórsa’s feedback Review of the Children’s Disability Network Teams Service Model - Project Plan can be found here.

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