Dr Tom Keane to chair Sláintecare Advisory Council

Minister for Health Simon Harris announced today that Ms Laura Magahy will be the Executive Director to lead the new Sláintecare Programme Office.

The establishment of such a position was one of the recommendations made in the Sláintecare Report published in May 2017. The report outlines a vision for the future of healthcare in Ireland over the next decade.

Ms Magahy, who is the former director of Temple Bar Properties, was described by the Department of Health today as “one of Ireland’s leading and most innovative strategic project directors”. She will take up the position in September and a recruitment process for the Sláintecare Programme Office team will begin shortly.

Dr Keane will head the Sláintecare Advisory Council which will “comprise clinicians, patient representatives, international experts and other stakeholders”.

“Today marks another important step in a long term process to transform our health service. Sláintecare provides us with a framework within which change can be planned, managed and implemented over the next decade,” said Minister for Health Simon Harris.

“The Oireachtas Committee emphasised the importance of effective implementation to achieve change. The appointments today put in place the necessary management and advisory structures to lead this implementation process. Laura Magahy has a proven track record in delivery, innovation and change management and I am delighted that she will take up the Director role of the Programme Office.

“An advisory council will be established to provide expert advice and support to Laura and her team, and I am delighted to appoint Tom Keane to chair this Council. Tom has vast experience of healthcare here in Ireland and abroad. I look forward to working with Laura and Tom as we move forward on this very important reform agenda.”

Dr Keane the new chairperson of the Sláintecare Advisory Council said, “Similar to other countries, the Irish health system needs to radically change if it is to properly meet the health needs of the population. Strong leadership, clear governance and effective engagement of stakeholders across the health sector will be essential to successful reform, as will a long-term vision for health policy that remains constant from government to government – that is what Sláintecare represents.”