Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the absence of a hospital consultant representative on the newly appointed South/South West Hospital Group board; the reason there was specific reference to having general practitioner and nursing representation on the board but no specific requirement for hospital consultant representation; his views on whether they have the core competencies necessary to deliver on the strategic and visionary change management agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13286/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The establishment of seven Hospital Groups, initially on a non-statutory administrative basis, is designed to deliver improved patient/service user outcomes and experience, ensure effective corporate and clinical governance and support provision of integrated care. The expertise, knowledge and experience of Hospital Group Board Members is an essential aspect of supporting Hospital Groups in achieving these aims, and accordingly, Hospital Group Boards have been established on a competency basis.

Hospital Group Board vacancies were publicly advertised in 2017 on the State Boards portal (www.stateboards.ie) operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), in line with DPER Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards. Board members were sought through this process who demonstrated competencies in the following areas: Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Legal Compliance and Due Diligence, Clinical Governance, Quality Assurance and Patient Safety, Strategic Planning and Change Management, Financial Planning and Management, Corporate or Public Sector Experience and Governance, Commercial Business Management, Workforce Planning and Strategic Human Resource Management, Public Relations and/or Patient/Public Advocacy, Education, Research and Innovation, General Practitioner, Nursing and International Expertise. A Board is now in place for the South / South West Hospital Group with effect from 30 November 2017 comprised of members who were selected through this process.