Mr Bernard Gloster’s decision to step down as CEO of the HSE “was not arrived at easily”, he wrote in an email to the Minister for Health and the Chair of the HSE Board.
This newspaper has obtained both the email and the attached formal resignation letter under Freedom of Information legislation.
Sent on 13 May, the message thanks Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and HSE Chair Mr Ciarán Devane for “the time taken recently to allow me to discuss and process my decision”.
Mr Gloster stated his resignation – by retirement – will take effect on 5 March 2026 and said he would issue a “brief public statement” on the matter.
In the letter, he wrote that he was “satisfied” that this was the right time to leave.
He expressed hope that his time in the role had helped improve the health service. By giving early notice, Mr Gloster explained that he wanted to allow sufficient time for the recruitment process for a new CEO and help to ensure a smooth handover to his successor.
Before departing the HSE next March, Mr Gloster wrote that there were “many priorities to deal with and I will continue to work on them and also in any way I can assist the board and the Minister in the transition to new leadership”.
He added that while leaving the position after three years was not an easy decision, “I know is the right one for both the service and myself.”
In his public announcement, Mr Gloster confirmed that he would retire having served almost 38 years in the public health service.
Mr Gloster was appointed as HSE CEO in December 2022 and commenced in the role in March 2023.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.