Fórsa has warned that the HSE is in breach of a national Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement on the Career Pathway Review for Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs), after months of delays in implementing a process that was meant to recognise and reward staff experience. 

The Career Pathway Review is a long-running process aimed at creating a clear, fair route for staff-grade HSCPs to progress to senior level across eight professions - dietetics, orthoptics, occupational therapy, podiatry, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, social care, and social work - in both the HSE and Section 38 agencies. 

A hard-won agreement     

After extensive negotiations following the threat of industrial action, Fórsa concluded a collective agreement in late 2024 under the auspices of the WRC.  

Following that agreement, implementation documents were circulated to all six Regional Directors of People in November 2024, and each health region was expected to identify eligible members for promotion. The process was backed by a joint oversight group, with representatives from Fórsa and HSE management. 

What’s happened since 

According to national secretary Linda Kelly, who has responsibility for HSCPs, the union has made “significant and extensive efforts” at both regional and national levels to ensure the agreement is implemented. 

However, she says members have been met with stalling tactics from the HSE and very little real progress. 

“This agreement was arrived at following our members notifying the HSE of their intention to commence industrial action. The industrial action was averted on the basis of the agreement reached and assurances from the employer side of its full implementation,” said Kelly. 

“Since agreeing the process, we have been met with delay after delay, excuse after excuse, and ultimately very little progress for our eligible members. This is simply unacceptable.” 

In a letter to senior HSE officials on 23rd October 2025, Fórsa said that HSE management had failed to act on the agreement and that members had now “lost all confidence” in the employer’s commitment to deliver. 
 
The letter warns that, as the HSE cannot demonstrate progress, the union will refer the matter back to the WRC.  

Linda continued: “It is incredibly disappointing for our HSCP members that this simple retention measure has been so unilaterally disregarded by the six Regional Directors of People.  

“It was hard fought for, on the back of a potential industrial dispute, and would clearly have shown staff grade HSCPs that the HSE valued them and was willing to prioritise their career progression. Instead, the HSE, along with the other HSE funded agencies, has broadcast a very different message.” 

Time to step up 

Linda Kelly has urged HSCP members to stay informed and get organised, encouraging anyone interested in getting more involved to consider becoming a workplace representative. She said progress on the Career Pathway Review won’t come from management goodwill - it will come from workers standing together. 

“By talking to your colleagues and getting organised you can be part of the process of turning this around,” she said. We know the HSE isn’t going to gift career progression to anyone. Every step forward in this process has been fought for - and won -  by organised workers willing to stand their ground. Nothing moves unless we move it and we’ll win this the same way we’ve won every gain before, by standing together.” 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.