Cardiac surgeries that require heart-lung machines are affected by industrial action planned by perfusionists in Ireland. RTE reports that cardiac procedures in five hospitals are cancelled on the day of the strike, after a work stoppage involving 25 perfusionists who are members of the Fórsa trade union. Other reports from RTE indicate that additional cancellations are expected on the next day and next week, following notice of further strike action. The Irish Times similarly reports that surgeries needing heart-lung support are at risk of cancellation as the union gives notice of industrial action starting with a one-day strike next week.
However, RTE later reports that Fórsa confirms the planned industrial action next week has been paused. Taken together, the coverage indicates that perfusionists’ strike activity has disrupted or threatens to disrupt scheduled cardiac surgery capacity across multiple hospitals, while the union subsequently pauses the planned action for next week. The reports consistently describe the industrial action as involving 25 perfusionists represented by Fórsa.
