The Irish Prime Minister has rejected the proposal that HSE boss Paul Reed will leave HSE’s top post due to differences with the government and difficulties with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
e said there was “no relationship” between Paul Reed’s comment on Our Lady’s Hospital Navan on the radio yesterday and his resignation today.
Reed announced this morning that he would resign at the end of the year “to spend time with his family.”
In his statement, Reed said that he was “heartfelt” in making the decision he said was influenced by his desire to spend more time with his family, “HSE is entering a new stage. And the appointment of a new leader was now timely. “
After the HSE boss who left said yesterday this week at RTÉ that plans to reconstruct the emergency department at Seibo Hospital Navan are underway despite a request from Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to hold it.
Reed said it was “a mistake” for the minister to exercise his authority under Article 10 of the Health Act to instruct health service executives to stop the plan.
The reorganization of the emergency department in Navan was scheduled to take place by the end of June, but Minister Donnelly requested HSE to suspend the plan to allow further consultation with public representatives.
Reed said yesterday that the HSE is pushing ahead with the plan, despite the minister’s request.
However, the Prime Minister laughed this afternoon and dismissed the proposal that Mr. Reed’s resignation was due to a difference from the government or difficulties with Stephen Donnelly.
He talked to Paul Reed this morning and said he wanted to spend more time with his family.
“He showed me very clearly that he’s essentially remorse lately, given all the pressure in terms of giving his family more time,” Martin said. rice field.
“He’s not moving anywhere. He really wants to spend more time with his family. He reflects on this. And I understand it.”
He added: “People have the right to make personal decisions about their lives and careers.
In a speech at Dublin Castle, Martin said he would like to give Reed a very warm tribute to his leadership, especially during the unprecedented pandemic Covid-19.
“I think he took the lead head-on with his team and all HSE employees and led the country in providing acute services in the midst of a pandemic,” Mihol Martin said at Dublin Castle. ..
This extended to the development of tests and traces, speeding it up very quickly, followed by a world-class vaccination program.
“It showed the value of national health services,” added Martin, who founded HSE by integrating regional health committees among health ministers.
However, he said the leadership Paul Reed had given to the organization was instrumental.
He continued. “He has been in command of many public service organizations for quite some time. I have had a very good relationship with Paul. He is available throughout the pandemic and calls from early morning to late night. I work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until I call.
“I must say that I fully understand the reason he gave. It’s personal. And also he’s not moving fast anywhere. He’s the rest of the year. I’m here and working on a variety of issues. “
Paul Reed announced his resignation this morning, saying he had no immediate career plans.
He has resigned for more than two years before the end of the annual contract of € 411,777.
He agreed to resign in December of this year to advise HSE Chair, Board of Directors, and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on his decision and to facilitate the process of selecting a successor. Said.
In a message to the staff, Reed said it was the most difficult decision he had ever made regarding his career.
“I used to work in the central and local sectors, not for profit, but working at HSE was by far the longest in my career.
“It’s really rewarding to lead an organization where staff work every day to improve people’s lives.
“An organization that rivals the commitment, dedication, and relentless willingness to exceed the demands of duty I witnessed when fighting multiple waves of criminal cyberattacks, Covid, while advancing a significant reform agenda. There is none.
This was really exciting for me to experience, “he said.
The Prime Minister said in honor of Mr Reed this morning that he thanked him for his unwavering commitment during the pandemic and understood why he was leaving “after a very tough period.”
Micheál Martin said: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the CEO of HSE Paul Reed for his achievements over the past few years, especially for the extraordinary leadership demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“HSE, through Paul and his employees, led the country head-on during the 11th century pandemic, demonstrating the value and importance of national delivery agencies in public health.
“Through acute hospital services, community services, testing and tracking, and world-leading vaccination programs, HSE has played a key role in the fight against COVID in Ireland.
“From my personal experience with Paul during the pandemic, I know he was available seven days a week, almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“The phone was never too late or too early in the middle of the night or early in the morning. He showed his full commitment with the team.
“I fully understand why Paul decided to resign later this year to spend more time with his family after a very tough time.
“I wish him all the best in the future.”
Minister Stephen Donnelly also thanked Paul Reed for his efforts.
“Since being appointed Chief Executive Officer in June 2019, Paul Reed has provided HSE with exemplary leadership.
“He has led Irish medical services through some of the most difficult days, with dedication and professionalism.
“During the pandemic, Paul played an important role in guiding Ireland’s response to the greatest health emergencies of our time.
“He leaves him with an organization that has been much strengthened for his time as Chief Executive Officer and has already made real progress in implementing reforms and improvements across many aspects of healthcare delivery. I did.
“I hope Paul will continue to do his best, and thank him and his family for making many sacrifices over the last three years to allow Paul to concentrate on his role as CEO. increase.”
In honor of HSE President Ciarán Devane, he said:
“He has led and achieved the biggest challenge he has ever faced, medical services, with relentless dedication and professionalism. We will do the very difficult task of his replacement. I am very grateful that he will continue his role for a longer period of time so that he can. “
Sinn Féin spokesman David Cullinan said he hopes Paul Reed will be well in the future and understands that it is “a big decision for himself.” rice field.
“As we look forward to, our healthcare services require strong and decisive leadership, primarily from the Ministry of Health and the Minister of Health with the support of HSE,” he continued. ..
“Our healthcare services need to change over the next decade to provide better healthcare to our patients.
“We need to create an Irish National Health Service that provides care as needed. We are working on a high waiting list and hiring and retaining staff is our top priority.”