Drumm succession front-runner withdraws from race

The front-runner in the race to be the new HSE chief executive has reportedly withdrawn his name from consideration.

The former head of the national cancer control programme Professor Tom Keane is said to be no longer seeking the position.

The Health Minister Mary Harney had endorsed Professor Tom Keane to take over the running of the Health Service Executive from Professor Brendan Drumm.

The former head of the national cancer control programme met members of the HSE board earlier this week for talks on the position, but it is understood that a number of proposals he put forward, such as guaranteed budgets for the HSE, were not agreed on.

Some sources indicated that his wish to gain more understanding of the challenges and difficulties facing the HSE was not achieved.

A candidate from Australia is now thought to be in the running to take over the position.