Ongoing delays in standing up IHA management structure 

There are ongoing delays in standing up the management teams of integrated healthcare areas (IHAs), this newspaper understands.

IHAs are described by the HSE as the “substructures” within each of the six health regions. There are 20 IHAs in total across the regions. They serve a population of between 150,000 and 450,000 and were established on the basis of local geographies, population size, needs and services.

In September 2025, Mr Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer for HSE West and North West, described progress on the IHAs as having “stalled”.

“Specifically, I am referring to the management structures at IHA level,” he told attendees at the HSE’s Integrated Care Conference 2025.

Following the conference, a HSE spokesperson told this newspaper that the process for reassignment and/or recruitment of staff reporting to IHA managers was taking place and IHA management teams were expected to be established in November 2025.

However, this month, a HSE spokesperson told Medical Independent that IHA management teams would only be “standing up” from early March, and only in five of the six health regions. 

“The Mid West is preparing for implementation, which will take place at a later date,” said the spokesperson.

“IHA management team recruitment is nearing completion, adhering to the Department of Health and Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation principle of completing this within current resources,” the spokesperson added.

“Following robust change impact assessment and due diligence, the five health regions moving to the next phase of implementation are satisfied that recruitment has progressed sufficiently to stand up the IHA management teams.”