New appointment at head of HSE health protection

Dr Lorraine Doherty will soon take up the position as National Clinical Director, Health Protection in the HSE, this newspaper has learned.

The role is also responsible for the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) , which is an organisation playing an important role in the State’s reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Following a recent recruitment campaign, Dr Lorraine Doherty has been offered and has accepted the role of National Clinical Director, Health Protection in the HSE,” a spokesperson for the HSE told the Medical Independent (MI).

“This role is responsible for the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)  and all health protection services in the State. Dr Doherty will be taking up this role shortly.

“Dr Lorraine Doherty has most recently been the Clinical Director of CervicalCheck where she played a vital role in bringing stability to the programme.

“Prior to this Dr Doherty has held numerous senior leadership roles in the Department of Health, Northern Ireland. She was a Deputy Chief Medical Officer, leading on all policy and strategy for Health Protection and Public Health and she also worked in the Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland, where she was the strategic lead for Health Protection and Head of the first ever Northern Ireland Health Protection Service.”

Currently the Interim Director of the HPSC is Dr John Cuddihy.

“Dr John Cuddihy was appointed as Interim Director of Health Protection Surveillance Centre in July 2019,” the HSE spokesperson told MI.

“Previous to that Dr Cuddihy was the Director of Public Health in the South East. Dr Cuddihy is leading on the provision of surveillance information, guidance development and professional advice on Covid-19.

“Dr Cuddihy is the international focal point for Covid-19 response in Ireland.”

The HSE spokesperson did not say how Dr Cuddihy’s Interim Director’s role will alter with  Dr Doherty’s new appointment.