Despite months of repeated, direct engagement between Fórsa and HSE senior management in relation to the HSE restructuring into six health regions, a lack of detailed information for members persists. 

The HSE have failed to address the concerns raised by our members, and, as a result, the union has referred the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).  
 
Fórsa national secretary Linda Kelly said: “Our members are facing into the biggest organisational change since the establishment of the HSE in 2004, and management have failed to provide us with any detailed understanding of the plan and explain what, if any, impact this may have for members, their reporting relationships, and their career opportunities.”
 
She continued: “For months now we have heard the same thing from HSE senior management, who keep telling us plans aren’t ready yet, as they kick our members’ concerns to touch. They have demonstrated no willingness to engage. This situation simply can’t go on any longer.”

Despite a request from Fórsa to pause the start of a recruitment campaign for integrated healthcare area (IHA) managers, the HSE began advertising for this role last Friday, 17th May. 

Given the union was engaged in discussions on the IHA manager job description, and the mechanism for filling these roles, the decision to launch the recruitment campaign was one that further underlined the HSE’s disregard for meaningful engagement. 
 
Head of Fórsa’s health and welfare division Ashley Conolly said: “Throughout this process there has been a notable absence of detailed information provided. How can management move to the next stage without a detailed plan? Our members will be working in the new health regions, and they deserve to know how the restructuring will impact their day to day working lives and opportunities for career progression.” 

“We have referred this matter to the WRC and now await a response from them. We will update members further as and when more information becomes available.” 

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