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Who runs the HSE


The HSE is Ireland's public health service.

It is led by the:

  • HSE Board
  • CEO, Bernard Gloster

A national Senior Leadership Team (SLT) plan and manage Ireland's health services. The SLT answer to the CEO, and the CEO answers to the Board. The Board reports to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.

HSE organisational and management structure

The HSE management structure is made up of:

  • HSE Board
  • HSE Senior Leadership Team

These people work together to improve the health services in Ireland and to make sure that the services provided by the HSE are managed to a high standard, and follow healthcare and public body legislation.

Government

  • Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD

The Department of Health's purpose is to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Ireland by delivering high quality health services and getting the best value from health system resources.

  • Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality's aims to improve the lives of children, young people, adults, families and communities, recognising diversity and promoting equality of opportunity.

HSE Board

The Board is the governing body of the HSE. All board members are Designated Public Officials (DPOs).

It makes sure the right systems are in place to:

  • achieve the HSE's objectives
  • ensure high standards in health and social care by improving performance management and accountability
  • help the HSE meet the standards and follow the policies required by the government
  • oversee the performance of the CEO and the HSE
Members of the Board

Ciarán Devane, Chair

Board members

  • Anne Carrigy
  • Michael Cawley
  • Lily Collison
  • Tim Hynes
  • Kenneth Mealy
  • Aogán Ó Fearghall
  • Dr Yvonne Traynor
  • Matt Walsh
  • Brendan Whelan

Senior Leadership team

The SLT includes:

  • the CEO
  • National Directors
  • Regional Executive Officers
List of HSE leaders

Designated Public Officials

The HSE's management team includes a number of DPOs as required by the Lobbying Act 2015 (Designated Public Officials) Regulations 2024.

Bernard Gloster, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The CEO is the principal officer of the HSE. The CEO must report to the HSE Board for performance, management and delivery of health and social care services.

Their work includes:

  • leading the operations of the HSE
  • reporting to the board on performance and finance
  • making sure the HSE complies with the Health Acts and other legislation
  • working with the Department of Health and other stakeholders

Damien McCallion, Chief Technology and Transformation Officer (CTO), Deputy CEO

They are responsible for:

  • leading IT systems and structures
  • making sure that cybersecurity in the HSE is strong
  • leading the HSE's digital transformation in health services
  • developing HSE transformation and strategy programmes
  • managing data compliance

Regional Executive Officers (REO)

The REOs oversee the management of health and social care services in each of the health regions.

They are responsible for:

  • planning health and social care services in their region
  • managing care for people and communities
  • making sure care meets local needs and national standards
  • reporting to the HSE CEO

The REOs are:

  • Sandra Broderick, REO HSE Mid West
  • Tony Canavan, REO, HSE West and North West
  • Kate Killeen White, REO, HSE Dublin and Midlands
  • Sara Long, REO, HSE Dublin and North East
  • Dr Andy Phillips, REO, HSE South West
  • Martina Queally, REO, HSE Dublin and South East

Anne Marie Hoey, Chief People Officer (CPO)

The CPO is responsible for:

  • workforce planning
  • disabilities workforce planning and resourcing
  • overseeing all HR services, such as recruitment Garda vetting and agency management
  • supporting staff development
  • overseeing national employee relations
  • management of payroll
  • overseeing workplace health and wellbeing
  • recruitment process reform
  • corporate compliance
  • supporting health regions with HR strategies

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer (CCO)

They oversee the management of:

  • National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP)
  • Public Health
  • Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (AMRIC)
  • National Screening Service (NSS)
  • Research Evidence
  • National Doctor Training and Planning Programme (NDTP)
  • National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP)
  • National Quality and Patient Safety (NQPS)
  • Health and Social Care Professions (HSCP)
  • The Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD)
  • National Clinical Programmes
  • National Office for Trauma Services
  • Strategic Programmes Office (SPO)
  • Laboratory Services Reform Programme
  • Chief Social Worker

Stephen Mulvany, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

They are responsible for:

  • financial management of the HSE
  • leading the National Finance and Procurement Division
  • making sure that all financial activity is effective and follows national policies, frameworks, procedures, legislation and national standards

Mark Brennock, National Director for Communications and Public Affairs

They oversee:

  • external communications
  • internal communications
  • complaints and feedback
  • HSE Live
  • Parliamentary Affairs
  • digital communications

Brian O'Connell, National Director, Head of Strategic Health Infrastructure and Capital Delivery (Major Capital and Infrastructure)

They are responsible for:

  • overseeing HSE Capital and Estates
  • managing the HSE's Infrastructure and Capital Delivery strategy
  • overseeing major capital projects
  • helping to implement environmentally friendly practices and infrastructure in the health system

Grace Rothwell, National Director for Access and Integration

They are responsible for:

  • collaborating with health regions
  • leading national improvement programmes
  • making sure that the HSE follows national policies, frameworks, procedures, legislation and national standards
  • supporting regional management
  • helping the HSE deliver health and social care services that meet patient and service user needs

Pat Healy, National Director for Services and Schemes

They are responsible for:

  • The National Ambulance Service (NAS)
  • Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS)
  • Environmental Health
  • National Emergency Management
  • Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS)
  • EU and North-South Initiatives
  • National Appeals Services
  • Enhance Community Care (ECC) and Primary Care Contracts

Non-Designated Public Officials

Joseph Duggan, Chief Internal Auditor

The Chief Internal Auditor's work includes:

  • leading the internal audit team
  • checking that risks are managed and safeguards are working well
  • giving advice to the Senior Leadership Team and the Board
  • making recommendations to improve processes and controls
  • reviewing how public money is spent

Patrick Lynch, National Director of Performance and Planning

Their work involves:

  • leading planning activities across the organisation
  • supporting the HSE's performance and accountability work by collecting and reporting on performance information

Joe Ryan, National Director for Public Involvement, Culture and Risk Management and Chief Risk Officer (CRO)

Their work involves:

  • encouraging patients and the public to give feedback and take part in the improvement of health and social care services
  • leading a patient-first culture across the HSE
  • assessing and reporting on risk and compliance to the Board and its committees
  • making sure that the HSE follows GDPR and the Data Protection Acts
  • supporting staff with managing protected disclosure requests under the Protected Disclosures Act

More information about who runs the HSE


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