Health reform - Setback a chance for reflection

The omens are not looking too good for the country’s new Health Service Executive, which is designated to take over the operation of the health service from January 1 next.

As the Cabinet considers the legislation to establish the new body, which would oversee fundamental healthcare reform, its putative chief executive has withdrawn from the specially created €400,000 a year position.

Professor Aidan Halligan’s decision not to take up the post, for personal reasons, has left the Government with a major headache.