Fórsa has advised the HSE that union will not cooperate with plans to advance the development of 96 enhanced community care networks (ECCNs) until a clear implementation plan is in place for the health and social care professional (HSCP) career pathway review.

Fórsa, which represents more than 10,000 HSCPs, including physio, occupational and speech and language therapists, dieticians, orthoptists, podiatrists and social workers, has pushed for a clear implementation framework to be in place in the next few weeks, arising from the agreement to convert basic grades to senior grades.

The head of Fórsa’s Health and Welfare division Éamonn Donnelly said: “The advance interim report on the career pathway was published last December, yet the HSE has yet to make any progress.

“We can’t proceed with plans for the expanded network of ECCNs until a realistic implementation framework is in place, as that network needs to be populated by HSCPs working at a level of seniority appropriate to their years of service,” he said.

Progress

Fórsa has also pushed for progress on the second phase of the career pathway review. Éamonn added: “The independent facilitator is now meeting with the respective professional committees to move this process along, with a focus on advance practices and clinical specialisms across the health system. Progress now is essential if the patient-centred, community-based model of care is to be fully realised. The union has championed that approach from the inception of Sláintecare.

“It’s time that the employer shows itself to understand how that model can be fully realised. Addressing the HSCP career pathway is an absolutely crucial step and can’t be delayed,” he said.

Earlier this month the Government announced its new rural development plan, Our Rural Future which includes plans to establish 96 new community healthcare networks (CHNs) across the country. 

Éamonn explained that the current HSE winter plan, which runs until April 2022, provides for an additional 48 ECCNs and is targeted to reach 96 networks in the latter half of 2022. He warned that significant work remains before this plan can be completed in a meaningful way, starting with an agreed and comprehensive evaluation of the original nine pilot sites under the agreed Community Health Network (CHN) programme.

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