HSE to move quickly in replacing suicide prevention officer

The HSE has said it is confident it will have appointed someone to head up its National Office for Suicide Prevention by October following the sudden departure of its director, Stephanie O’Keeffe, last Friday, after just three months in the position.

The resignation of Dr O’Keeffe represents another setback for the office after her predecessor Geoff Day quit the post, expressing concern about a lack of resources and staffing.

It is understood Dr O’Keeffe has moved to a new research post within the Department of Health.