Completing the full implementation of the Fórsa-won health and social care professional (HSCP) career pathway review, and achieving the appointment of an autonomous HSCP policy advisor in the health department, will be top priorities in a Fórsa HSCP strategy, to be unveiled at the end of the summer.

The union’s national health office is currently working with representatives from the professions to finalise the initiative, which will also lead a Fórsa lobbying and communications campaign in the absence a positive response on the appointment of a health department policy advisor.

Fórsa’s head of health, Éamonn Donnelly, said the strategy would also work for improved CPD and training for HSCPs, and include measures to strengthen working relationships between the union and clinical leads in community health organisations and hospital groups.

He said it would involve representatives of the health and social care professions to strengthen services to members, building on the union’s market-leading package of free support and professional legal advice for members subject to a CORU ‘fitness to practise’ complaint.

“The strategy will also boost our working relationships with the HSE’s HSCP office, as well as clinical policy and programme makers. And we are developing our research and development to highlight professional and service issues including staff shortages, resource shortcomings, and waiting times for essential HSCP services,” he said.