HSE board meeting minutes 29 July 2026

Present

Mr Ciarán Devane (Chairperson), Dr Yvonne Traynor (Deputy Chairperson), Mr Brendan Whelan, Mr Aogán Ó Fearghail, Mr Tim Hynes, Ms Anne Carrigy, Mr Matt Walsh, Mr Michael Cawley, Mr Kenneth Mealy, Ms Lily Collison and Mr Patrick Bailey.

In Attendance for Board Meeting

Ms Anne O’Connor (CEO), Mr Damien McCallion (CTTO), Mr Pat Healy, (ND Services and Schemes), Dr Colm Henry (CCO), Mr Mark Brennock (Communications), Ms Anne Marie Hoey (CPO), Mr Michael Lane (A/CFO), Ms Sara Long (REO Dublin and North East), Dr Andy Phillips (REO South East), Ms Martina Queally (REO Dublin and South East), Ms Sandra Broderick (REO Mid West), Mr Tony Canavan (REO West and North West), Ms Kate Killen White (REO Dublin and Midlands), Mr Dara Purcell (Corporate Secretary), Ms Niamh Drew (Deputy Corporate Secretary), Ms Rebecca Kennedy (Office of the Board).

Joined the Meeting

Mr Patrick Lynch (ND Planning & Performance), Mr Gareth Morton (ND Procurement), Mr Micheál Conneely (ND Capital and Estates), Ms Grace Rothwell (ND Access and Integration), Mr Brian Higgins (AND Adult Metal Health), Mr Donan Kelly (AND Mental Health).

Minutes reflect the order in which items were considered and are numbered in accordance with the original agenda. All performance/activity data used in this document refers to the latest information available at the time.

The Chairperson welcomed members to the meeting and held a discussion in advance of the meeting with the Minister for Health.

2.1 Declarations of Interest

No conflicts of interest were declared.

2.2 Chairperson’s Remarks

The Chairperson provided an update to the Board on a number of matters that would be discussed during the meeting.

2.3 Ministerial Correspondence

The following Ministerial correspondence were noted by the Board:

• Letter from Minister for Health to Chair re HSE Annual Report 2025 date 14 July 2026

2.4 Minutes of Board meeting

The Board approved the minutes of the Board meeting of 26 June 2026.

3.2 Audit and Risk Committee

The minutes of the Audit and Risk Committee meeting of 19 June 2026 were noted. The Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) provided an overview to the Board on the matters considered at the ARC meeting of 17 July 2026.

The Board held a discussion on the following contract:

• The Change Control Note for Extension of Post-Go-Live Support to the IFMS System for a further 3 years

The Chairperson of the Committee requested that the Board reappoint Éimear Fisher and Sharon Keogh as external members of the Audit and Risk Committee for a term of 3 years until 15 September 2029, which the Board approved. Decision No.: 260729/40

3.1 Task and Finish Group HSE Financial Position 2026 and Funding Challenges

The minutes of HSE Board Task and Finish Group regarding the 2026 HSE Financial Position of 25 June 2026 were noted. The Chairperson of the Task and Finish Group (TFG) provided an overview to the Board on the matters considered at the TFG of 24 July 2026 and confirmed that the TFG would be meeting in August. The TFG and the Board expressed ongoing dissatisfaction with the financial position and the lack of clarity on cause and action.

3.3 Performance Committee

The minutes of Committee meeting of 18 June 2026 were noted. The Committee Chairperson provided an overview to the Board on the matters considered at the Committee meeting that took place on 23 July 2026.

The Board held a discussion on the following areas:

• The Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC) compliance with Work Schedules on DIME reported at end of June.

3.4 Strategy and Reform Committee

The minutes of Committee meeting of 23 March 2026 were noted. The Committee Chairperson provided an overview to the Board on the matters considered at the of special meeting of the Committee re OHR on 22 July 2026 and of the Committee Workshop which followed on 22 July 2026.

The Board held a discussion on the following areas:

• One Health Record (OHR) Programme DPER Peer Review Group Report. The Chair and Committee noted their view that OHR is fundamentally a transformation programme, with technology serving as an enabler of how the HSE will operate in the future. In that context, members discussed the challenges that may arise in successfully implementing OHR, particularly in light of existing cultural and performance considerations across the organisation. The Committee suggested that the Executive revert with a clear outline of the organisational requirements for successful delivery and the actions proposed to support their implementation.

4.1 CEO briefing to the Board

The CEO briefed the Board on several matters in private session.

4.2 CEO Monthly Report

Members of the Senior Management Team joined the meeting

The CEO reported to the Board on a number of the key significant areas as set out in the CEO Monthly Report.

The CEO briefed the Board on a HSE Drugs Group determination advising that further review by the Rare Diseases Technical Review Committee (RDTRC) was required before a final determination on the reimbursement of Omaveloxolone (Skyclarys®) would be made.

The CEO updated the Board on the planning process for 2027, advising that the reform agenda is continuing with a focus on community care. The Board discussed the modelling process for 2027, and it was confirmed that the Demand and Capacity Modelling Group is highlighting appropriate areas where care can be moved to community settings.

The Board noted the updates provided on the Ministerial Priorities which covered Finance – agency reduction and procurement reform; POCC implementation; and UEC Reform.

The Board held an in-depth discussion regarding CHI Spinal Services which covered areas such as the HSE National Oversight Improvement Steering Group for CHI; CHI Spinal Service Action Plan 2026 Oversight of Waiting Lists; and the Inpatient and Daycase Waiting list for Spinal Surgery Procedures. The REO Dublin Midlands informed the Board that queries that had been raised are being addressed.

The CEO outlined to the Board a proposal to have historical records declared ‘Departmental Records’ under the National Archives Act, 1986, thus allowing for permanent transfer of historical record collections to the National Archives.

The Board noted that the Escalation of Regions under the Performance Accountability Framework (PAF) 2026 reported in April remain in place.

National Performance Report

The monthly National Performance Report (NPR) May 2026 data was presented to the Board.

The Performance Committee also reviewed this at its meeting on 23 July 2026. The Board approved the May 2026 NPR for submission to the Minister for Health, and Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE), and noted that once submitted, the NPR will be published on hse.ie.

5.1 Contracts & Properties

As recommended by the Audit & Risk Committee for approval, the Board considered and approved the following proposed contracts and properties:

1. 1. 1. Multi Supplier Panel for the Provision of Agency Nurses & Midwives to the Public Sector Decision No.: 260729/41
      2. GP Direct Access to Community Diagnostic Services Decision No.: 260729/42
      3. Change Control Note for Extension of Post-Go-Live Support to the IFMS System for a further 3 years Decision No.: 260729/43
      4. National Children’s Hospital Ireland (NCHI) Lease Agreement Decision No.: 260729/44
      5. Proposed acquisition of an area of public greenspace adjoining University Hospital Galway for the purpose of developing a new Helipad Decision No.: 260729/45
      6. Contract award for 97 bed block – Wexford Decision No.: 260729/46
      7. Donation of Lands, Kanturk for Regional Children’s Respite, Residential & Equine Therapy Services Decision No.: 260729/47

6.1 Mental Health – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Adult Services

The ND Access and Integration introduced Brian Higgins, AND Adult Metal Health and Donan Kelly, AND Mental Health to the meeting, noting documentation circulated in advance of the meeting.

Mr Kelly presented to the Board an overview of the HSE Mental Health service, outlining an activity and performance overview; National Service Plan 2026; challenges and enablers; and focus areas for 2026 and beyond. The Board noted that HSE Access and Integration oversees implementation of three major programmes relating to mental health: Sharing the Vision; Connecting for Life; and the HSE Child and Youth Mental Health Action Plan.

The Board discussed autism assessments and queried how any overlap between mental health services and disability services is managed. The CEO highlighted that the new Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol was launched in May 2026 and provides a standardised assessment process across disability, primary care and mental health services.

The Board discussed the rollout of a Single Point of Access (SPoA) model and the Integrated Child & Youth Mental Health Pathway which seeks to simplify access to mental health services by creating a single, coordinated entry point for children and young people across CAMHS, primary care, disability and community and voluntary services. It was highlighted that when people age out of CAMHS, it is important that progression is also available for adult services.

The Board queried what supports are available for carers/ parents and families and whether there is an information pack available during the wait for a diagnosis. It was confirmed that the HSE is in engagement with SpunOut and Dorcha to develop apps which will be part of the service and there is a suite of resources currently available to new patients.

The Board discussed the connection between addiction and mental health issues. It was highlighted that this is an example of the importance of a single point of access for services as addiction is both a psychological and mental health issue.

Mr Kelly highlighted the changes under the new Mental Health Act and the organisation of services. It was highlighted that a lot of work will be required to achieve regulatory compliance, but improvements are being seen.

There was no further business. The meeting concluded at 15:28