HSE managers to be re-deployed to fill new hospital group chief executive posts

A number of senior HSE managers are to be re-deployed on a two-year contract basis to fill key vacant chief executive positions in its new hospital group structure.

The move follows the inability of the HSE to fill a number of hospital group chief executive positions around the country on the salary scale on offer after a recent open competition.

Under the shake-up, it is expected that the current chief executive of the hospital group in the west/north west, Bill Maher, will move to take over the Dublin/North East group. This comprises Beaumont Hospital; Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; Connolly Hospital in Dublin; Cavan General Hospital; Rotunda Hospital; Louth County Hospital in Dundalk and Monaghan Hospital.

The current head of the HSE's national cancer control programme Dr Susan O'Reilly is tipped to become chief executive of the Dublin/Midlands group of hospital. This is made up of St James's Hospital, Tallaght, Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, Naas General, Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise and the Coombe Women and Infant University Hospital.

The current group director of nursing in the west/north west, Colette Cowan is tipped to become chief executive of the hospital group in the midwest. This is comprised of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick; Ennis General, Nenagh General, St John's Hospital Limerick, the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital and the Mid-Western Regional Orthopaedic Hospital.

The current group chief financial officer in the west/north west Maurice Power is tipped to take over as chief executive of the hospitals in the region.

The chief executive of the Mater Hospital Mary Day is expected to become head of the Dublin/East group. This is made up of the Mater, St Vincent's, Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; Wexford General; the National Maternity Hospital; Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; St Columcille's Hospital; St Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire; Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital and the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital.

The HSE had not been ableto fill a number of the group chief executive positions on foot of a recent competition. The Government had set a maximum salary of € 136,282 for these positions with no additional payments permitted.

In its recent briefing material for Minister for Health Leo Varadkar, the Department of Health said it was in consultation with the HSE reagarding the need for a further evaluation of the market place to establish its capacity to recruit and retain candidates of the calibre requiredin the context of a 5-year contract term.

“Arrangements are being progressed in the HSE to put interim management arrangemments in place in the Dublin/North East, Dublin/East and Dublin/Midlands group, pending a revised recruitment process.”