The chief executive officer designate of the Health Service Executive, Prof Aidan Halligan, is now almost certain not to take up the post. This is a major blow to health service reform. The Irish Times has learned that Prof Halligan is to remain in the UK as deputy chief medical officer of the Department of Health and director of clinical governance for the NHS. Dr Muiris Houston, Medical Correspondent, reports.
Just recently, he had agreed to a request from the Minister for Health, Ms Harney, to bring forward his commencement date to January 31st next.
As the first chief executive, Prof Halligan would have had a pivotal role in the Health Service Executive (HSE), which takes over the day-to-day running of the health service on January 1st. He had agreed a salary package in the region of €400,000 plus generous relocation expenses.
Prof Halligan had been involved in the interview process for the second tier of management in the newly structured HSE. However, The Irish Times understands that he was not present for the latest series of interviews, which concluded last Friday. It had been expected that the HSE would announce a series of appointments to divisional directorships within the next two weeks, including the person responsible for a new National Hospitals Office. It is not clear whether it and other appointments will now go ahead in the absence of a new CEO.
The legislation on the entire Government healthcare reforms had been due to go to Cabinet tomorrow as it had to be passed by the Oireachtas before Christmas to allow the Health Service Executive, of which the Halligan appointment was a major part, to come into force on January 1st.
Mr Kevin Kelly, chairman of the interim board of the HSE, has been in close contact with Prof Halligan since his appointment was announced in September. Mr Kelly had travelled to Britain on a regular basis and has said that Prof Halligan was already closely involved in the day-to -day working of the HSE.
It was not clear last night why Prof Halligan has declined to take up the post. It is thought unlikely to be related to his remuneration but he has chosen to remain in the UK for a combination of personal and family reasons.
The health boards have been formally abolished and a new Bill outlining the statutory function of the HSE is expected to be published in the next two weeks.
It will include provision for the setting up of four regional health authorities and 32 local area health boards who will be charged with delivering primary and community care services.
A National Hospitals Office is set to take control of hospital services throughout the State.
However, The Irish Times understands that health board chief executives, whose contracts formally expire on December 31st, were last week asked to remain in post for a further six months, until July 2005. This is seen as an acknowledgement of the slow pace of reform and the need to avoid a management deficit in the health system.
Prof Halligan has a distinguished record in health service reform in Britain. A champion of clinical governance, which a number of health service reports have identified as a crucial deficit, he also has responsibility for implementing a national programme for information technology in the NHS.