Vhi chief Anne O'Connor appointed new HSE CEO

Current Managing Director of Vhi Health & Wellbeing Anne O'Connor has been appointed as the new CEO of the HSE.

She will take up the position from Bernard Gloster, who announced earlier this year that he intended to stop down.

Ms O'Connor is an occupational therapist and holds a MSc in Occupational Therapy and a MSc in Management Practice.

She had previously worked as the HSE's chief operations officer, and was a key figure in managing the health service response to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the cyberattack on the service in May 2021.

Chairman of the HSE Board Mr Ciarán Devane said he is very pleased to welcome Ms O'Connor back to the HSE.

"As well as her invaluable experience with Vhi, her extensive career with the HSE as an occupational therapist, National Director for Mental Health services and as Chief Operations Officer for the HSE through the Covid pandemic will stand her in good stead as she leads the HSE on its journey of reform," he said,

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill TD said Ms O'Connor has made a "significant contribution to healthcare in Ireland".

"She now brings her immense capability and experience to leading the HSE. I look forward to working closely with Anne to further strengthen a service that truly serves its patients, values the immense contribution and dedication of our healthcare workers and delivers high-quality equitable care for all," she said.

Ms O’Connor said: "I am very privileged to be appointed to this role at a time of great opportunity and challenge for healthcare in Ireland.

"I look forward to leading the organisation and the reform programme already underway by supporting our staff to deliver quality healthcare services efficiently to meet the healthcare needs of the people of Ireland."