Fórsa suspended its instruction to members last month to cease cooperation with reporting arrangements in interim CHO governance structures.

This followed agreement by the HSE to resume discussions over interim community healthcare organisation (CHO) governance structures at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), in a process that commenced on 30th August and which is set to intensify next Tuesday (11th September).

Fórsa’s decision in July, to withdraw cooperation from interim arrangements, was provoked when health employers’ collapsed discussions on the roll-out of the CHO programme in advance of the full implementation of the ten-year Sláintecare reform programme.

Head of Forsa’s Health division Eamonn Donnelly said “The effect of this action over three weeks was widespread. The resumption of talks represented enough progress to resume cooperation with interim measures while our discussions play out.

“This wouldn't have been possible without the determination shown by Fórsa members after the union issued its instruction in July. As a direct result the health sector employers agreed to participate in discussions at the WRC on the implementation of the Community Health Network model.

“The employers must show that they’re serious about developing high quality community health services, with the structures necessary to make the new system a success. This means placing the health and social care professions at the centre of service planning and delivery, with admin staff as a vital cog in the support structures,” he said.

Eamonn said next Tuesday’s discussions will focus on grades groups and categories represented by Fórsa within the CHO model.