The outcomes of a recent IMPACT roundtable forum for health and social care professionals are to be compiled into a report to inform union strategy in the sector. The event attracted over 50 professionals from a range of disciplines, and the union is inviting others to submit their views on the subjects covered at the forum.

The roundtable heard CORU chief executive Ginny Hanrahan outline the work of the regulator in the areas of registration, continuous professional development and fitness to practise. Then participants heard IMPACT national secretary Eamonn Donnelly give a frank account of how changing health services structures could impact on staff, before deputy general secretary Kevin Callinan outlined IMPACT’s past campaigns for on pay, professionalisation and career structures for health and social care professionals.

Meanwhile, the HSE has established a new health and social care professions office in its national HR division. It says the new office will lead on matters relating to the education and development of health professionals, including in the development of integrated services. The office will also have a policy advice function and will input into the development of relevant national strategies and plans.

IMPACT is now inviting feedback on the questions raised at its roundtable forum from those who were unable to attend. You should send your thoughts on any or all of the questions below to lead organiser Linda Kelly (lkelly@impact.ie) by 10^th February.

1. What does CORU registration mean for you as a profession? Identify what you see as the challenges and the positives.
2. A condition of your registration is to engage in CPD. Does your employer currently provide any supports for CPD?  What supports do you believe your employer should provide?
3. What observations do you have about restructuring in the health services from a profession viewpoint?
4. Should cross-profession reporting be feature of any new structure and, if so, why?
5. How can IMPACT improve engagement with HSCP members?
6. What barriers do members face when getting involved with IMPACT campaigns and negotiations?