Fórsa has said that industrial action by clinical measurement physiologists (CMPs), working in HSE and voluntary hospitals, will get underway on Friday (30th January) unless agreement can be reached at talks scheduled to take place at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) tomorrow (Wednesday).
Clinical measurement physiologists are diagnostic specialists who play a central role in providing the test results used by doctors, consultants and other clinical staff to make treatment decisions. They deliver essential diagnostic services across cardiac, respiratory, neurophysiology, gastrointestinal and vascular care.
The union, which represents just over 350 CMPs nationwide, said the dispute could be readily resolved through constructive engagement and a commitment by the HSE to properly recognise their concerns, which include the completion and implementation of a joint workforce review, and a stop to the expensive outsourcing of CMP services in public health. The union said a staffing agreement for chronic disease hubs, where CMPs are based, is also essential.
Unless the parties secure an agreement at the WRC, CMPs will begin a work-to-rule on Friday (30th January), strictly adhering to their contracted hours and duties. Emergency services will be maintained, and patient safety will remain paramount. However, Fórsa warned that if no agreement is reached, the action will affect the timely provision of diagnostic information, with knock-on consequences for clinical decisions and individual treatment plans.
Fórsa national secretary Linda Kelly commented: “This dispute is well within the scope of resolution. Our members want to continue delivering high-quality diagnostic services for patients, but their professional role and long-standing concerns must be properly recognised by the HSE.
“CMPs are patient-facing and highly trained, but their work is under-recognised. If this action goes ahead, it will expose how much the system relies on their goodwill and flexibility. We are urging management to use the opportunity at the WRC to engage seriously and reach an agreement that avoids disruption to services,” she said.
Celine Coffey, chair of the national professional committee representing CMPs, said:“ The decision to take industrial action has not been taken lightly. Members considered all the issues in dispute, our efforts to resolve matters through discussion with the HSE and ultimately the HSE’s failure to address our concerns.
“There is now a strong mandate in support of taking action and our members are focused on securing a meaningful agreement that properly reflects the importance of their role and addresses long-standing issues in this service.
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