Health Service Executive
Encyclopedia
The Health Service Executive (HSE) (Irish
: Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, FSS) is responsible for the provision of healthcare providing health and personal social services for everyone living in Ireland
, with public funds. The Executive was established by the Health Act, 2004 and came into official operation on January 1, 2005. It replaces the ten regional Health Board
s, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and a number of other different agencies and organisations. The Minister for Health and Children
has overall responsibility for the Executive in Government
. The HSE is Ireland's largest employer with over 67,000 direct employees, and another 40,000 in funded health care organisations. It has an annual budget of over €14 billion, more than any other public sector organisation.
The site provides a list of every public hospital in Ireland, along with the 8 designated Cancer Centres, in Hospitals & Cancer Control. If you are looking for any Urgent Care or Out of Hours Services you will find many listed. The wide range of care services provided in the community are available through the 32 Local Health Offices nationwide - the first port of call for community care in Ireland. Information is provided about Primary Care and the HSE's new primary care centres, which are opening all over the country and will be the future of the Irish health system.
You can read about older people services, or find forms and details for many benefits and schemes, including medical cards and the Drugs Payment Scheme. Contacts are provided for a wide range of children and family services, including child health and child protection services. The Births, Deaths, Marriages section show you how to register an event, or even buy a certificate online.
Addiction services, disability services are listed, along with environmental health, public health, and sexual health services. Mental health services are undergoing significant transformation at the moment, and you can read about those changes. Finally, if you are wondering who can access health services in Ireland, details are provided on eligibility for health services.
The HSE also provides an information service by telephone, the HSE INFOLINE, callsave 1850 24 1850, open Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm.
The Chief Executive Officer
is Cathal Magee
, who took up his post in September 2010.
s and thirty-two local health offices nationwide. The HSE is divided into four regions:
Each region is headed by a Regional Director of Operations, who is responsible for managing all services in that area.
The HSE is frequently portrayed by the Irish media as an inefficient, top-heavy and excessively bureaucratic organisation. Like any healthcare system across the world, the Irish health system has been involved in a number of serious health scandals, for example relating to cancer misdiagnoses in 2008. The HSE has also been the subject of criticism for cutbacks, service cancellations etc., but has recently indicated that it is making good progress in saving costs and achieving its required 'break-even' budget position for 2010.
In March 2010, it emerged that 58,000 X-Ray radiographs had not been reviewed by a consultant radiologist. An independent report into this incident at Tallaght Hospital is due to be published by the HSE during October 2010.
In the same month, the Irish Medical Organisation stated that patients awaiting a HSE medical card were waiting up to six months to receive their card, and that their health was being put at risk as they could not afford medicines that they would have otherwise obtained had they received their card. The HSE has since announced a new online system for medical card applications that will reduce turnaround time for routine applications to 15 days.
In May 2011, key forensic evidence in up to 25 sexual-assault cases may be challenged in court because of a major administrative blunder by the HSE. The victims -- some as young as 14 -- were told by gardai about the incident, in which a nurse who carried out their forensic tests was unregistered. This could lead to the evidence being challenged.
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
: Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, FSS) is responsible for the provision of healthcare providing health and personal social services for everyone living in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, with public funds. The Executive was established by the Health Act, 2004 and came into official operation on January 1, 2005. It replaces the ten regional Health Board
Health Board
The Health Board system of the Republic of Ireland was created by the 1970 Health Act. This system was initially created with eight health boards, each of which were prescribed a functional area in which they operated...
s, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and a number of other different agencies and organisations. The Minister for Health and Children
Minister for Health and Children (Ireland)
The Minister for Health is the senior minister at the Department of Health in the Government of Ireland and is responsible for health care in the Republic of Ireland and related services.The current Minister for Health is James Reilly, TD...
has overall responsibility for the Executive in Government
Irish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
. The HSE is Ireland's largest employer with over 67,000 direct employees, and another 40,000 in funded health care organisations. It has an annual budget of over €14 billion, more than any other public sector organisation.
HSE services
The HSE provides health and social services to everyone living in Ireland. Its services are delivered to young and old, in hospitals, health facilities and in communities across the country. The HSE website at www.hse.ie provides a wide range of information on the services provided, and information on how to access them.The site provides a list of every public hospital in Ireland, along with the 8 designated Cancer Centres, in Hospitals & Cancer Control. If you are looking for any Urgent Care or Out of Hours Services you will find many listed. The wide range of care services provided in the community are available through the 32 Local Health Offices nationwide - the first port of call for community care in Ireland. Information is provided about Primary Care and the HSE's new primary care centres, which are opening all over the country and will be the future of the Irish health system.
You can read about older people services, or find forms and details for many benefits and schemes, including medical cards and the Drugs Payment Scheme. Contacts are provided for a wide range of children and family services, including child health and child protection services. The Births, Deaths, Marriages section show you how to register an event, or even buy a certificate online.
Addiction services, disability services are listed, along with environmental health, public health, and sexual health services. Mental health services are undergoing significant transformation at the moment, and you can read about those changes. Finally, if you are wondering who can access health services in Ireland, details are provided on eligibility for health services.
The HSE also provides an information service by telephone, the HSE INFOLINE, callsave 1850 24 1850, open Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm.
Structure
The HSE's organisational structure is divided into some key areas:- Integrated Services, which includes services delivering care in the community and acute hospital and ambulance services
- Quality and Clinical Care, which provides clinical leadership, national clinical services and quality and performance programmes
- Support Services, like HR, Finance, Communications, Estates and ICT, which enable the HSE to function efficiently and cost effectively.
Board of directors
- Frank DolphinFrank DolphinDr. Frank Dolphin is an Irish businessman. He is known for his involvement with the Irish Health Service, as a former chairman of Children's University Hospital, Temple Street and Govoner of the Mater Hospital, as a past President of the Waterford Chamber of Commerce, and for founding RigneyDolphin...
, Chairman - Dónal de Buitléir - general manager, AIB Bank
- P Anne Scott - Professor and Head of School of Nursing, Dublin City UniversityDublin City UniversityDublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland...
- Michael McLoone - County Manager Donegal County CouncilDonegal County CouncilDonegal County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Donegal in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of Mayor...
- Niamh Brennan - Professor of Management University College DublinUniversity College DublinUniversity College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
- Michael Murphy - President, University College Cork
- P J Fitzpatrick - Chief Executive, Courts Service
- John Murray - Professor of Business Studies Trinity College, DublinUniversity of DublinThe University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
- Maureen Gaffney - Chairperson, National Economic and Social Forum
- Eugene McCague - Solicitor
The Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
is Cathal Magee
Cathal Magee
Cathal Magee is the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive in Ireland. He is also a non-executive director of insurance company Vhi Healthcare....
, who took up his post in September 2010.
HSE regions
The HSE delivers its services through fifty public hospitalHospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s and thirty-two local health offices nationwide. The HSE is divided into four regions:
- HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster - (South Dublin, County KildareCounty KildareCounty Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, County WicklowCounty WicklowCounty Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, County LongfordCounty LongfordCounty Longford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Longford.Longford County Council is the local authority for the county...
, County WestmeathCounty Westmeath-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
, County LaoisCounty LaoisCounty Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
and County OffalyCounty OffalyCounty Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
) - HSE Dublin North East - (North Dublin, County MeathCounty MeathCounty Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, County LouthCounty LouthCounty Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, County CavanCounty CavanCounty Cavan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...
and County MonaghanCounty MonaghanCounty Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
) - HSE South - (County CorkCounty CorkCounty Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, County KerryCounty KerryKerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, South TipperarySouth TipperarySouth Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 52% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...
, County WexfordCounty WexfordCounty Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
, County WaterfordCounty Waterford*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
, County CarlowCounty CarlowCounty Carlow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Carlow, which lies on the River Barrow. Carlow County Council is the local authority for the county...
and County KilkennyCounty KilkennyCounty Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
) - HSE West - (County GalwayCounty GalwayCounty Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, County MayoCounty MayoCounty Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, County RoscommonCounty RoscommonCounty Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
, County LimerickCounty LimerickIt is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, County ClareCounty Clare-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, North TipperaryNorth TipperaryNorth Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-West Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 48% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...
, DonegalDonegalDonegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
, SligoSligoSligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
, and County LeitrimCounty LeitrimCounty Leitrim is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
)
Each region is headed by a Regional Director of Operations, who is responsible for managing all services in that area.
News and criticism
The HSE is the subject of daily news reporting, and despite frequent negative media coverage, most service users report positive experiences in HSE services, and high levels of satisfaction with the care they receive. The HSE is working to modernise and improve how healthcare is delivered in Ireland, through the extension of the amount of care provided in the community, rather than in hospital, and also through the initiation of a wide range of clinical programmes. These clinical programme are led by hospital consultants, and are going to standardise the approach to our most grave and common healthcare challenges, like heart disease, diabetes and others.The HSE is frequently portrayed by the Irish media as an inefficient, top-heavy and excessively bureaucratic organisation. Like any healthcare system across the world, the Irish health system has been involved in a number of serious health scandals, for example relating to cancer misdiagnoses in 2008. The HSE has also been the subject of criticism for cutbacks, service cancellations etc., but has recently indicated that it is making good progress in saving costs and achieving its required 'break-even' budget position for 2010.
In March 2010, it emerged that 58,000 X-Ray radiographs had not been reviewed by a consultant radiologist. An independent report into this incident at Tallaght Hospital is due to be published by the HSE during October 2010.
In the same month, the Irish Medical Organisation stated that patients awaiting a HSE medical card were waiting up to six months to receive their card, and that their health was being put at risk as they could not afford medicines that they would have otherwise obtained had they received their card. The HSE has since announced a new online system for medical card applications that will reduce turnaround time for routine applications to 15 days.
In May 2011, key forensic evidence in up to 25 sexual-assault cases may be challenged in court because of a major administrative blunder by the HSE. The victims -- some as young as 14 -- were told by gardai about the incident, in which a nurse who carried out their forensic tests was unregistered. This could lead to the evidence being challenged.
See also
- Department of Health (Ireland)
- Health Information and Quality AuthorityHealth Information and Quality AuthorityThe Health Information and Quality Authority is an independent, government-funded agency in the Republic of Ireland which monitors the safety and quality of the Irish healthcare system...
- Maev-Ann WrenMaev-Ann WrenMaev-Ann Wren is an Irish economist, journalist, author and former economics editor of the Irish Times newspaper. She has written two books about the Irish health system and her writings have often been mentioned during Dáil and Seanad debates, and in parliamentary committee...
, health services analyst and critic