HSE appoints new Confidential Recipient

Ms Gráinne Cunningham-O’Brien is the newly appointed Confidential Recipient and commenced her role on 7 November, according to the HSE.

Ms Cunningham-O’Brien is a graduate of University of Galway. She brings to the role “many years of professional social work experience in a number of different areas including child protection, fostering, safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults, adult mental health and intellectual disability service”, according to the HSE. She has social work experience in primary care, palliative care, older persons services, children’s disability services, and acute care.

There were 49 applications for the position and nine interviews were conducted. The Confidential Recipient has been appointed at a General Manager grade (€74,090-€92,161).

“The Confidential Recipient is a person who can act as a voice for vulnerable people with a disability and vulnerable older people,” stated the HSE.

“The Confidential Recipient is appointed by the HSE but is independent of the HSE. The Confidential Recipient will be independent and will have the authority to examine concerns raised to: Advise and assist individuals on the appropriate course of action to take to raise matters of concern; assist with the referral process to ensure examination of reported concerns; ensure that the reported concerns are appropriately addressed and responded to by the HSE and HSE-funded agencies.”

In December 2014 the HSE announced the appointment of Ms Leigh Gath as the first Confidential Recipient. Her appointment followed the abuse scandal at Áras Attracta, a HSE residence for people with an intellectual disability in Co Mayo.

The Confidential Recipient can be contacted at: 061 585603 or 087 6657269, grainne.cunningham@crhealth.ie, Monday to Friday (9am – 5pm).