Canavan appointed Regional Executive Officer for new HSE West and North West Region

THE HSE has announced details of the appointment of Regional Executive Officers (REOs) for the six new HSE Health Regions.

As part of implementing Sláintecare, the HSE is organising service delivery into six health regions from March 1.

Tony Canavan has been appointed REO for the HSE West and North West, a region comprising of Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, West Cavan, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.

Mr. Canavan is currently CEO of the Saolta University Health Care Group and has worked in the health services in the west for over 30 years.

Each REO will be the accountable officer at health region level, responsible for the delivery of high-quality, safe and accessible services for the population of their region. They will report directly to the HSE CEO on the operation and management of the health regions and will form part of the core HSE senior leadership team, providing regional input into the development of national policies and standards.

HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said: “The move to the new regions, and a reformed and repurposed HSE Centre, represents a considerable change to our organisational structures. I am confident we have assembled a strong team of the six most senior officials in the HSE, reporting directly to me.

“Individually and collectively, they bring a broad range of skills and experience, placing them as the healthcare experts who will lead the next phase of health service delivery in Ireland.

“Shortly we will announce the details of the new re-organised HSE Centre, designed to support these regional leaders and ensure excellence in our public services.

“I want to emphasise that structural change is not the main goal of this reform. The idea behind reorganising our structures is to ensure that people experience just one health service, providing whatever care they need at the right time and in the right place. When we talk about ‘integrated care’, this is what we mean.

“I’d like to thank HSE staff around the country for their support and hard work as we transition this year. I look forward to working with each of the new REOs, and the teams they will form over the coming months to provide a better health service for everyone living in Ireland.”

The appointments were welcomed by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly who said that they will work with him and the CEO to ensure that the reorganisation of our health and social care services delivers for patients.

“The HSE Health Regions Implementation Plan has been developed in partnership with health and social care stakeholders and aims to deliver more joined-up care to people when they need it.”