HSE Performance Committee meeting minutes 21 May 2026

Committee Members Present

Brendan Whelan (Chair), Tim Hynes, Kenneth Mealy, Pat Kirwan, Lily Collison and Matt Walsh

Apologies

Karina Butler

HSE Executive Attendance

Kate Killeen White (REO Dublin and Midlands), Patrick Lynch (ND Planning and Performance), Grace Rothwell (Access and Integration), Geraldine Crowley (AND Enhanced Community Care and Primary Care), Colm Henry (CCO), Deirdre McNamara (CCO Office Director Strategic Programmes), Damien McCallion (CTTO), Anne Marie Hoey (CPO), Philippa Withero (AND HR), Aoife O’Donohue (AND Disabilities Transformation), Joe Ryan (CRO), Niamh Drew (Deputy Corporate Secretary), Patricia Perry (Office of the Board).

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 Committee held a private session to review the agenda, the relevant papers and the approach to conducting the meeting.

Executive members joined the meeting.

2.1 Declarations of Interest

No conflicts of interest were declared.

2.2 Minutes

The Committee approved the minutes of 23 April 2026.

2.3 Actions Review

The Chair advised that he had reviewed the actions with the Board Office and all actions were being progressed.

2.4 Matters for noting

The Committee reviewed the status of Section 38 Service Arrangements, noted concerns regarding delays in the sign-off process, and requested recommendations to improve arrangements going forward. A further update will be provided at the June meeting.

3.1 Oral Health Services

AND, Enhanced Community Care and Primary Care joined the meeting.

The AND Enhanced Community Care and Primary Care provided to the Committee an update on the progress of the National Oral Health Plan including associated governance and stakeholder engagement which has progressed throughout April and May.

The Committee noted progress on the National Oral Health Plan, including engagement with the Department of Health, the ongoing work to finalise the implementation plan and the establishment of the National Dental Services Oversight Group.

The Committee discussed the key deliverables in the plan and the short-term and mid/long-term initiatives, with IT playing an important role in service improvement and the need for an increase in education and training places and a targeted recruitment campaign.

The Committee discussed how dental services and outcomes for children compare internationally. It was noted that this information was not immediately available and that an international comparison would be brought back to a future meeting.

3.2 National Ambulance Service Performance

It was agreed to defer this item due to the attendance of the National Director, Services and Schemes, at the Labour Court in relation to the NAS industrial dispute. The Committee requested that the paper be resubmitted to the June meeting in a shorter, more concise format and include an update on the NAS industrial relations issue.

4.1 Therapies Performance Report

The AND Enhanced Community Care and Primary Care updated the Committee on Primary Care Therapy Waiting Lists. The Committee noted the paper circulated in advance of the meeting which covered: the Primary Care Therapy Waiting List Initiative; Progress to date and core therapy trends; Primary Care Therapy Waiting List Regional progress; and Development of a Framework for Enhanced Primary Care Therapy delivery. Bottom of Form

The Committee noted progress under the waiting list initiative, implemented from October 2025 following Ministerial approval. Despite challenges arising from industrial action, the initiative has delivered measurable improvements in some regions, including sustained reductions in waiting lists and long waiters.

The Committee discussed an operational issue relating to transfers from CDNTs to Primary Care Therapy services noting that work is underway to assess the scale of the issue, clarify transfer processes, and identify solutions. The Committee requested that this matter be considered jointly by the Assistant National Director and the National Director for Disabilities, with both attending the September meeting to provide an integrated update.

HSE Executives joined the meeting.

5.1 National Performance Report - March 2026 Data

The NPR (March 2026 Data) and accompanying briefing paper, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, were noted. The March 2026 NPR presents the HSE’s performance through the four lenses of the Balanced Scorecard (Quality, Access, People, Money), against a subset of the KPIs contained in the National Service Plan (NSP) 2026. The Committee noted the additional commentary relating to Urgent Care; Planned Care, Screening services, Cancer Rapid Access Clinics, Urgent Colonoscopy Breaches, Primary Care Therapies, Older Persons, Mental Health, and Disability Services, which were highlighted by the ND Planning and Performance. The Quarterly 2026 RAG rated status update on the NSP 2026 priority actions were also noted.

The Committee discussed in particular screening services noting that Breast Check reported below target and Cervical Check, Diabetic retinopathy, and Bowel screening reporting activity above targeted levels. It was noted that the areas of mental health and disabilities continue to face major challenges with waiting lists.

The Committee expressed concern regarding low rates of child health assessments for children under 12 months in some areas, particularly where performance is below target. Members discussed regional variations, workforce challenges in recruiting Public Health Nurses, and the importance of early intervention and prevention. It was agreed that this issue should be added to the Committee workplan, with a presentation to be brought to a future meeting on child health assessment performance and associated challenges.

5.2 UEC update position

The ND Access and Integration provided an update to the Committee in relation to all ED Attendances and Admissions including >75, and the top 10 sites with highest percentage increase.

The Committee noted the changes made by the CEO in how UEC is managed across the organisation with weekly engagement with Regions allowing for the identification of obstacles to improve performance, corrective actions and timelines, and implementation plans to address the issues.

6.1 Draft workplan

CPO and AND Human Resources joined the meeting.

The CPO provided an update on the continuing work underway to define the workforce elements of the Performance Committee Workplan allied to the key measures of the People Strategy 2025-2027. The Committee discussed the draft workplan noting the inclusion of monthly reporting in relation to Agency, POCC, One Health Record, Elective Hospitals and e-Rostering. Other areas for inclusion were discussed along with the connection with the Strategy and Reform Committee.

6.2 Agency

The CPO provided an update on current agency expenditure performance, outlining the immediate corrective measures being implemented to mitigate further variance in agency spending and reduce the projected deficit in 2026. The Committee noted the paper presented by the CPO and considered the responses provided to previous queries in order to better understand the nature of the challenge and the approach being taken to address it.

The Committee discussed the actions proposed by the CPO and emphasised the importance of maintaining focus on the delivery of existing agency reduction plans. The Committee also noted that the assessment of anticipated benefits would form part of the CEO’s plan to address the financial deficit.

6.3 Junior Doctors Taskforce

The CPO provided the Committee with an update regarding the National Taskforce on Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) Workforce and the implementation, reporting and progress to date for the Taskforce recommendations that fall under a number of areas across the HSE. The Committee highlighted the good progress and noted that 22 of the 32 recommendations have been implemented. Results from an upcoming NCHD Survey will enable the production of an updated report, which can then be monitored. It was agreed that a further update be brought back to the September meeting.

6.4 POCC

The Committee received an update from the CPO on the POCC. It was noted that, while significant progress has been made in implementing the POCC, recent engagement had identified challenges relating to the consistency of implementation across regions, as well as the quality, clarity and comparability of POCC reporting.

The Committee discussed the proposal to establish a national programme aimed at standardising and strengthening reporting on POCC implementation, while also accelerating and supporting effective implementation across regions and services. It was noted that a National POCC Implementation Oversight Steering Group has been established and is scheduled to meet by the end of May 2026. Regional Implementation Groups will also be established to support delivery.

The Committee emphasised the need for greater urgency in identifying and implementing the operational enablers and working arrangements required to reform emergency and scheduled care and to realise the benefits of the investment in POCC.

CRO joined the meeting.

7.1 Q1 2026 Corporate Risk Register (CRR) Report

The CRO presented the Q1 2026 and accompanying Committee extract and metric report to the Committee. The Q1 2026 CRR was reviewed and approved by the Senior Management Team (SMT) and subsequently brought to the Audit and Risk Committee.

The Committee discussed its allocated principal risks (R001 Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Services, R002 Standards of Safety and Care, R004 Health Care Acquired Infections and Anti-Microbial Resistance, R007 Cyber Security, R011 Scheduled Care Services). The CRO outlined the increase in risk rating of R011 Scheduled Care Services, which arose from insights at a recent REO workshop.

The Committee discussed business continuity management in relation to geopolitical risks and the increasing international risk environment associated with infectious diseases. It was noted that a workshop on geopolitical risks, including the Middle East conflict and potential fuel disruption was held with key stakeholders from the system including Emergency Management and Logistics amongst others and considered potential impacts, risk mitigations and response plans. The CCO is establishing an Oversight Group to advance national and regional preparedness relating to infectious diseases.

CRO left the meeting.

8.1 Disabilities Services - Progress Report

The AND Disability Services, Transformation & Programme Coordination updated the Committee on the developments this month for the disability services with a focused view of residential services. She advised in relation to the strengthening of governance and intervention mechanisms, which included continued monthly REO engagements; a structured thematic focus applied across each month of 2026; enhanced use of RAG to support assurance and escalation; and the active application of the Performance and Accountability Framework (PAF).

The Committee discussed the national challenges relating to capacity, demand, workforce, and regulatory constraints, as well as the significant pressures currently facing the system. Members noted that transitioning from high-cost emergency placements to planned placements is expected to lower costs and provide more suitable premises. This work will be supported by a programme of targeted thematic reviews throughout the year, focusing on areas including capital investment, day services, respite services, workforce planning, and service delivery arrangements.

No matters arose under this item. The meeting ended at 2.30pm.

Terms of Reference: Performance Committee