A resounding majority (97%) favour the introduction of a Chief HSCP Office, on par with the Chief Nursing Office, within the Department of Health.
That’s according to the results of Fórsa’s recent Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs) survey.
The same majority (97%) also believed a Chief HSCP Office could better inform the Department of Health on the role of HSCPs in Slaintecare implementation, according to the latest study.
The survey attracted over 1600 responses, the bulk of which were from Physiotherapists, Speech and Language therapists, Social Care workers, occupational therapists and dietetics among others.
The union has criticised the delays in the introduction of a Chief HSCP post, and said it was disappointing that HSCPs still did not have a voice for policy implementation and leadership opportunities at the senior level alongside nurses and doctors, even though they make up 25% of the HSE workforce and 14% of the Irish health service overall.
The union said the success of Sláintecare reforms hangs in the balance without a channel to voice the expertise of HSCPs in the future delivery of these crucial services.
Over 90% of those surveyed also said the lack of a Chief HSCP Office meant Ireland would lag behind its international counterparts. Similar posts already exist in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Fórsa national secretary Linda Kelly said the view from Fórsa’s members was “unequivocal.”
The union said the success of Sláintecare reforms hangs in the balance without a channel to voice the expertise of HSCPs in the future delivery of these crucial services.
“Such an office, on par with the Chief Nursing Office, would provide expert advice and strategic leadership to Government and the broader health service on the role of HSCPs,” said Linda.
“A Chief HSCP role is desperately needed, and it must be autonomous and standalone within the Department. This group of hard-workers won’t accept anything less than what is already well established for other clinical groups,” she added.
Informed by the survey, the union is now finalising a position paper which will call for the urgent establishment of a Chief HSCP Office within the Department of Health.
Almost seven-in-ten respondents believed the contribution of HSCPs to the Irish health service was not well recognised.
Furthermore, almost 80% of those surveyed also said the role of HSCP’s was not well understood by the Department of Health.
Some 90% of respondents were also in agreement that the Department did not understand the issues facing HSCPs.
And 95% of respondents felt the Department did not give equal weight to the concerns of HSCP staff, in comparison to doctors and nurses.
Fórsa says it is “extremely important” to have representation for these essential workers so that their voices are heard and their role in providing important supports and services is understood and appreciated.
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