25 Perfusionists' Strike to Cancel Cardiac Surgeries Amid Pay Dispute with HSE

A planned strike by 25 perfusionists, members of the Fórsa trade union, is expected to result in the cancellation of some cardiac surgeries tomorrow. These cardiovascular specialists are responsible for operating machines that temporarily support heart and lung function during surgical procedures.

The Fórsa members, who work as perfusionists across five hospital groups, are scheduled to commence a series of work stoppages starting tomorrow. The dispute centers on pay, with the union accusing the Health Service Executive (HSE) of unilaterally severing a long-standing pay parity between perfusionists and medical scientists. Furthermore, Fórsa states that the HSE has declined to implement a Labour Court recommendation, issued in January of this year, to reinstate this pay link.

Linda Kelly, Fórsa National Secretary, commented, «It is simply unacceptable that the HSE would break this pay relationship in the first instance, and then that they would disregard a Labour Court recommendation is even more shocking.»

In response, the HSE affirmed its commitment to ongoing engagement regarding the Labour Court recommendation, as part of the Public Service Agreement local bargaining process, with the aim of averting industrial action. A spokesperson for the HSE added, «In parallel, the HSE is developing contingency plans, focusing on minimising disruption and protecting patient safety, if industrial action proceeds.»