‘Absence’ of regional governance structures for worker safety

The “absence” of regional governance structures for healthcare worker safety was raised at a HSE meeting.

The issue was noted at a meeting of the HSE performance committee in September 2025. The HSE confirmed that this matter was under consideration, according to meeting minutes.

A HSE spokesperson told the Medical Independent it was undertaking a comprehensive management review of occupational safety and health support and governance structures. This was in the context of the new “structures that have evolved over the Sláintecare programme of work”.

This review was required to ensure that “despite organisational changes, staff safety continues to be optimally integrated into the risk-based safety management system, and into all aspects of the HSE’s activities”.

The spokesperson confirmed that the review will be undertaken in the first half of this year. They added that responsibility for occupational safety and health falls to HSE line managers and senior managers under the Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

Section 80 of the Act, in particular, applies to the senior leadership team and other mid-level managers who have functional control over the activities of their organisation.

“Line management structures are clearly defined in the HSE and have remained so over the Sláintecare implementation period. Occupational safety and health responsibilities at all levels of management within the organisation are described within the HSE’s corporate safety statement (CSS).”

The CSS formally sets out the high-level responsibilities, structures, and resource requirements for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for employees, service users, visitors, and all who come in contact with HSE services and/or may be affected by HSE activities.