Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2117.To ask the Minister for Health if the disciplines of occupational therapy, nursing and social work will also have a regional director appointed to them in the South-West Regional Health Area as will that of psychology; and if this will be the case in other regional health areas and a timeframe for these appointments. [31627/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 4th March 2024, the HSE was reorganised into six operational Health Regions. This represents one of the most significant reforms to our health and social care service in recent years. Further phased transitions will take place through 2024. The Health Regions Implementation Plan was approved?and published?by Government?in?July 2023. The Government decision on the transition to Health Regions included the provision that, beyond the appointment of six Regional Executive Officers,?the transition will be achieved on a headcount and grade neutral basis for senior management posts.

Health Regions, each led by a Regional Executive Officer (REO), have responsibility for the planning and coordinated delivery of health and social care services for their respective populations. The six REOs took up their posts earlier this year and are now driving the regional implementation of this reform.

Each Health Region will have an Executive Management Team (EMT) led by the REO. The structure for these teams has been agreed and phased recruitment is underway.

Beyond these EMT positions, the HSE are finalising a regional clinical governance model. Each region will have a regional Clinical Executive consisting of a lead from: Population & Public Health; Medical, Executive Nurse/Midwife, Health & Social Care Professionals, General Practice, Chief Academic Officer, and Quality & Patient Safety. Regions will also develop networks of care, which provide a single governance apex and common design to ensure consistency across the system in standards of practice and service models for defined specialties.

Health Regions will create the organisational structure that aligns healthcare governance at regional level, within a strong national framework, and enable better coordination and improved performance across health and social care services. These changes in healthcare governance arrangements are designed to make our services easier to navigate for people, with stronger accountability and greater transparency across the sector.

I am seeking further clarification from the HSE regarding the specified posts in the South West Health Region and will endeavour to provide the Deputy with an update at the earliest opportunity.