New overall HSE boss of Laois health services and Portlaoise hospital

Hospitals and health services in Laois and other midland counties are getting a new boss under a management shakeup that has resulted from the health service reform strategy Sláintecare.

The HSE has announced details of the appointment of Regional Executive Officers (REO) for the six new HSE Health Regions. It says that as part of implementing Sláintecare, the HSE is organising service delivery into six health regions from March 1, 2024.

The HSE said each REO will be the accountable officer responsible for the delivery of "high-quality, safe, and accessible services" for the population of their region. It said REOs will report directly to the HSE CEO on the operation and management of the health regions. The statement added that they will form part of the core HSE senior leadership team, providing regional input into the development of national policies and standards.

Kate Killeen White is the new Regional Executive Officer for the HSE Dublin and Midlands. This serves the people of Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, Kildare, West Wicklow and parts of South Dublin.

She will join HSE Dublin and Midlands from her role as Chief Officer for South East Community Healthcare where, since 2019, she had operational responsibility for delivery of all HSE community services in Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford, leading a workforce of nearly 5000 staff.

The HSE said she was previously Head of Service for Social Care in South East Community Healthcare, Chief Executive Officer of St. Catherine’s Association disability service, and practised as a Barrister from 2008 to 2013.

The HSE added more details about her qualifications.

"Kate has more than 16 years senior operational experience across health, regulatory and legal environments. With a strong academic background including Barrister-at-Law degree, Masters in Law, Executive Diploma in Governance and an Executive Diploma in Coaching, she brings a specialist knowledge of Health Law and Policy, Public Administration, Corporate Governance, Corporate and Commercial Law including corporate re-structuring and reform and change management strategies and principles, to this important new post," it said.

HSE CEO Bernard Gloster spoke about the new appointments. 

“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.  I look forward to working with them.  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,” he said.

Stephen Donnelly, TD, Minister for Health, welcomed the announcement.

"I’m delighted to welcome the six new Regional Executive Officer appointees who will work with the CEO and myself to ensure that this 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,” he said.

Following a Public Appointments Service-led process, the HSE CEO appointed:

• Sara Long as REO, HSE Dublin and North East
• Martina Queally as REO, HSE Dublin and South East
• Kate Killeen White as REO, HSE Dublin and Midlands
• Tony Canavan as REO, HSE West and North West
• Dr Andy Phillips as REO, HSE South West
• Sandra Broderick is in post as REO, HSE Mid West

For more information on HSE Health Regions visit www.hse.ie/healthregions