A union-management group established to deal with staff concerns about the HSE’s proposed ‘needs assessment protocol’ started its work this week, with a view to completing it within four weeks.

Fórsa outlined professional, practical and capacity concerns following management’s attempt to introduce the needs assessment protocol without consultation with the health professions who’ll be expected to operate it.

The protocol is meant to guide the assessment of service needs for children who have, or may have, autism spectrum disorders. The professional groups involved include occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, and assessment officers.

For the time being, Fórsa official Christine Cully, who’s leading the union side in the talks, has advised members to continue with the procedures that existed before the protocol was published.