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12 Oct 09

HSE Adopts Integrated Health and Social Care Model

The HSE's Corporate Plan 2008-2011 sets out a clear vision for the implementation of an integrated health and social care model that delivers a more integrated service for its patients and clients.  The organisation has now adopted an initial set of changes to enable it to manage and deliver services in lind with the integrated model;

The main changes now taking place are:

• Reduction in the number of corporate directorates
• An Integrated Services Directorate replaces the National Hospitals Office (NHO) and the Primary Care and Continuing Care (PCCC) Directorates.  Four Regional Directors of Operations will be responsible for managing all services within the regions of Dublin North East, Dublin Mid Leinster, West and South.  The successful candidates are being appointed, Pat Healy (HSE South), Stephen Mulvany (HSE Dublin North East) and Gerry O'Dwyer (HSE Dublin Mid Leinster), and a process is underway to fill the post for the West Region.
• Four Assistant National Directors, currently being recruited, are to work within the Integrated Services Directorate and play a strong leadership and representative role for the Children and Families, Older People, Disabilities and Mental Health Care Groups.
• A Quality and Clinical Care Directorate in driving improvements in patient care and reducing cost through the development and implementation of care pathways, protocols and standards.

What do the changes mean?

• While regional operating units are being established they will work within national frameworks.  Operating responsibility for delivering all health and social care services will reside with the Regional Director.  In addition the Quality and Care Directorate will work to improve the quality and safety of services through the implementation of national standards and protocols for services.

Why is the HSE making these changes?

• To empower front line clinicians, other clinical staff and managers to make effective local decisions.
• To reduce the distance between local service providers and the leadership of the HSE.
• To ensure strong local accountability and adherence to robust national planning processes.
• To support high quality clinical and business decisions and
• To support consistent management of performance, quality and outcomes.

Posts are being filling from within the existing complement of staff and as the Integrated Services Programme moves forward it will reduce the number of management positions and levels within the organisation.