The trade union Fórsa has said that planned industrial action by clinical measurement physiologists (CMPs) will remain suspended following the conclusion of talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
It had been feared that the processing of patients' test results could have been delayed by industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule which was due to begin today.
CMPs provide diagnostic services across cardiac, respiratory, neurophysiology, gastrointestinal and vascular care.
Fórsa represents just over 350 CMPs nationwide and their dispute with the HSE relates to staffing issues and concerns over outsourcing.
The union said that the agreement reached today at the WRC provides for an intensive, time-bound engagement process between Fórsa and the HSE aimed at resolving the long-running issues at the centre of the dispute.
These include the finalisation of a pay and career structure review for CMPs and the development of updated job descriptions to reflect the modern scope of the profession.
"It has taken consistent effort on the part of Fórsa CMP members to secure this agreement, which provides for detailed discussions on service delivery in chronic disease hubs," said Fórsa National Secretary Linda Kelly.
"Those discussions will also cover staffing, management and governance arrangements, and recognition of the essential role CMPs play within these services."
"The HSE has also committed to establishing a high-level oversight group, with equal Fórsa representation, to examine the current outsourcing of CMP services and to review delivery options in line with public service agreements," Ms Kelly said.
