Fórsa has established a new National Professional Committee (NPC), bringing together procurement professionals from across the health service to provide a dedicated forum for members working in procurement-related roles. 

The establishment of the Procurement NPC creates an opportunity to strengthen the collective voice of procurement professionals and to ensure that the unique challenges facing them are recognised and addressed. 

Fórsa president and member of the committee Martin Walsh said: “Procurement professionals have consistently highlighted the need for a national structure through which the particular challenges, opportunities and professional issues affecting the sector can be considered collectively. The NPC will provide that voice, ensuring that the experiences of procurement staff are represented and that issues of national significance can be raised directly with management.” 

As one of its first priorities, the NPC is asking members to take part in two surveys focusing on key issues currently impacting procurement staff, namely IFMS (Integrated Financial Management System), and Sourcing and Contracts. 

These surveys are being issued to capture, in a structured and detailed way, the experiences of members working directly in these areas. While many issues are already known anecdotally, it is important that the committee develops a comprehensive evidence base that reflects the day-to-day realities being experienced by procurement staff throughout the service. 

Fórsa assistant general secretary Lisa Connell will be supporting the NPC’s work. She said: “These surveys are an important first step in establishing a clear agenda for the group. The information gathered will assist the committee in identifying priorities, developing evidence-based positions, and ensuring that issues affecting procurement members are brought forward in a coordinated and informed manner.

“The success of this newly established committee will depend on active engagement from members across the procurement workforce. Members are therefore strongly encouraged to participate in the surveys and provide as much detail as possible.” 

Take part in the IFMS (Integrated Financial Management System) survey here, and Sourcing and Contracts survey here. 

The Committee members are: 

• Martin Walsh - Louth H&LG 
• Padraig Breen - Wexford H&LG 
• Angela Power - Wexford H&LG 
• Fiona Twomey - Cork H&LG 
• Leo Whelan - Carlow H&LG 
• Don Meskell - Cork H&LG 
• Jimmy Croarkin - Monaghan H&LG 

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