Potential recruitment of new Chief Information Officer ‘under review’

The HSE is reviewing whether a new permanent Chief Information Officer (CIO) will be recruited, just over a year after the last appointment, the Medical Independent (MI) can report.

In March 2019, Mr Martin Curley replaced Mr Richard Corbridge as CIO. However, at the end of last year, Mr Curley moved to another leadership role within the HSE and Mr Fran Thompson took over as CIO on an interim basis.

When MI questioned the HSE about whether Mr Curley would return to the role, or whether a new permanent CIO would be appointed, a spokesperson for the Executive said: “Matters are under review at present.”

Before his appointment as interim CIO Mr Thompson was the Programme Director for the Strategic e-health Programme for the Office of the CIO (OoCIO). He has been involved with all aspects of ICT and has played a leading role in delivering various projects and programmes, including hospital administration and clinical systems, and primary care messaging and health finance solutions. At present, the OoCIO is in the process of filling 24 posts.

“Any vacancies will be filled in accordance with the budget allocation.”

The spokesperson said there is “ongoing capacity to recruit new funded posts” and that there is also capacity to replace “critical clinical posts within frontline health  services”.

“The OoCIO has increased its numbers by more than 3 per cent this year,” they added.

MI can also report that a scheduled quarterly meeting of the e-health Ireland committee in June was postponed by the CIO for “operational reasons”.

“This was agreed with the committee Chairperson,” the spokesperson stated.

“The meeting in September is scheduled to proceed.”

The e-health Ireland committee comprises individuals who have relevant competencies to support the CIO, HSE/Chief Officer and eHealth Ireland to implement the e-health strategy.