It is “important” that public health consultants are part of the senior management teams of the six new regional health areas, according to the National Director of HSE Public Health.
Dr John Cuddihy told the Medical Independent (MI) that the six area directors of public health across Ireland are involved in the “planning and preparation” of the new health areas.
“It is, I think, important, that those area directors can follow through to being on the senior management teams of those regional health authorities.”
Dr Cuddihy was speaking after he addressed the Policy Forum for Ireland online conference on Sláintecare reform.
Answering questions from MI at the same conference, Mr Muiris O’Connor, Assistant Secretary, Research and Development and Health Analytics Division, Department of Health, said that the position of public health consultants in the health regions “would be better understood” after the appointment of the regional CEOs. However, Mr O’Connor confirmed that they would “have a very central role”.
The health regions are due to commence in February 2024.
Meanwhile, the HSE has fallen behind timetable targets for the appointment of 84 public health consultants.
However, a spokesperson told MI that the process “is well underway” despite targets being “stretched”. See news feature, p4-5.
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