Regional Health Forum Minutes - HSE Dublin and South East - 19 March 2026

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19 February were adopted by the Forum on the proposal of Cllr. John Coonan and seconded by Cllr. Dermot Lacey.

Members present

Cllr. Adrienne Wallace *, Cllr. Caroline Winstanley, Cllr. Damien Geoghegan, Cllr. Declan Barry, Cllr. Dermot Lacey, Cllr. Fergal Browne *, Cllr. Ger Frisby, Cllr. Jacqueline Burke, Cllr. Jim Gildea *, Cllr. Joe Behan, Cllr. John Coonan, Cllr. John O’Leary, Cllr. John Pratt, Cllr. Justin Moylan *, Cllr. Lauren Tuite *, Cllr. Pat Dunphy, Cllr. Patsy Glennon, Cllr. Thomas Joseph *, Cllr. Tomás Breathnach *, Cllr. Vicky Barron *.

*Attended online

Apologies

Cllr. Adam Wyse, Cllr. Frank Staples, Cllr. John Fleming, Cllr. Daniel Pender, Cllr. Joe Sullivan.

HSE representatives present

Martina Queally, Regional Executive Officer; Emma Finn, Regional Director of Communications and Public Affairs; Roseanne Killeen, IHA Manager, Carlow Kilkenny and Tipperary South; Sinéad Reynolds, IHA Manager, Waterford Wexford.

• Letter sent to Minister for Health and letter from Chair
• Copy of letter re FASD to be shared with RHF

Correspondence – Minister for Health (Vaccine Damage Scheme)

The Forum noted correspondence from the Minister for Health acknowledging the Forum’s December 2025 motion and advising that a model for a Vaccine Damage Scheme has been developed and will be brought to Cabinet for consideration.

Correspondence – Department of Health to Chair on FASD

Correspondence was noted.

Correspondence from Dr. Colm Henry to the CMO (Dec 25) noted and will be shared.

2 (b) Regional Executive Officer Service Update

The REO provided an update on Assessment of Need processes, demand pressures, coordination roles, integration of services across CHNs, and ongoing reforms. Clarification that AON Officers are not decision makers, they co-ordinate the process and link in with the clinicians and families.

The first Local Area Committee meeting is to be scheduled for 16 April, subject to the order of rotation to be agreed. Secretariat to revert with details.

(a) Engagement with Dun Laoghaire Outreach Project (DROP) regarding long-term premises (Cllr. Justin Moylan) - discussion recorded with commitment to follow up.

(b) Procedure for dealing with issues in adjoining HSE areas (Cllr. Dermot Lacey) – clarification sought; responses provided referencing national structures.

(c) Update on New Ross PCC and etenders process (Cllr. John Fleming) – response issued.

(d) Reinstatement of coroner-requested post mortem services at UHW (Cllr. Declan Barry) - response issued.

(a) To ask the HSE if it is represented and at what level on each of the Local Community Safety Partnerships in the Dublin and South East area. (Cllr. Dermot Lacey)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(b) To ask the HSE if there is any update on the request for the Chairperson and CEO of the HSE to present to each Regional Health Forum? (Cllr. Dermot Lacey)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(c) Will 24/7 Cardiac Care be fully operational at UHW by December 31st, 2026?) (Cllr. Declan Barry)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(d) Are cancer patients (Haematology and Oncology) being treated in corridors at UHW since these services have been switched from Whitfield-UPMC? (Cllr. Declan Barry)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(e) Can I be provided with the most recent KPI report on access to Cancer Services from National Cancer Care Programme? (Cllr. Roger Kennedy)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(f) What are the available centers for Respite for adults with Moderate, Mildly or Severely Disabilities in the South-East and What numbers can they cater for? (Cllr. Roger Kennedy)

A written response was circulated and noted.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 16 April 2026 - HSE Lacken, Kilkenny.