Perfusionists’ Strike Disrupts Cardiac Surgeries in Irish Hospitals

Cardiac surgeries at five major Irish hospitals were canceled on June 9, 2026, after 25 perfusionists, represented by the Fórsa trade union, initiated a 24-hour strike. The action, which affected 14 procedures including two pediatric cases, stems from a dispute over pay and working conditions, according to reports.

Role of Perfusionists in Cardiac Procedures

Perfusionists are specialized healthcare professionals who operate machines that temporarily take over the heart and lung functions during surgeries, enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures. As explained by healthcare education resources, they manage extracorporeal circulation equipment, ensuring patients’ circulatory and respiratory systems are supported during operations. Their work is critical in procedures like open-heart surgery, where the heart must be stopped temporarily.

Union Claims and Pay Dispute

Fórsa accused the Health Service Executive (HSE) of unilaterally breaking a long-standing pay link between perfusionists and medical scientists, a decision the union claims has led to a two-tier pay scale. The union highlighted that a Labour Court recommendation from January 2026 to restore this pay link has been ignored. Linda Kelly, Fórsa National Secretary, criticized the HSE for forcing staff into industrial action, stating the dispute could cost €233,000 annually to resolve. She argued that savings from increased locum costs—due