Chiefs of new hospital groups named

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has appointed chief executives to the six new hospital groups, with all the appointments taken from within existing health services.

Each position, apart from a temporary post in the West/North West Hospital Group (WNWHG), will last for two years, with the chief executives reporting to the National Director of Acute Hospitals, Dr Tony O’Connell.

Gerry O’Dwyer has been appointed chief executive of the South/South West Hospitals Group. According to the HSE, he has been performing the role of group CEO on an interim basis for most of 2014.