Tusla CEO Bernard Gloster has been announced as the new chief executive of the HSE, replacing Paul Reid, who stepped down in October.

Gloster is expected to take up the position in the spring, and his appointment was approved by the HSE board following an "open, competitive selection process."

Gloster spent more than 30 years in the health services, holding several senior management positions, including chief officer of HSE Mid West Community Healthcare, before joining child protection agency as CEO in September 2019.

He is a social care worker by profession, holds an MBA from Oxford Brookes University and an MSc in Management Practice from UCC.

Ciarán Devane, chairman of the HSE board, said of the appointment: “I am delighted that someone of Bernard’s experience, both within the HSE and externally within Tusla, is taking up this role.

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"Bernard’s track record and commitment to public service will be invaluable as the HSE, like health services elsewhere, enters a period requiring great change and development.”

Welcoming the appointment, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “Bernard Gloster is a public servant with a track record of innovation and reform across health and social care services over many years.

"At a time of unprecedented investment in the HSE I know he is deeply committed to ensuring that the Irish health service becomes one of the best places in the world in which to be treated, and to work in. I am delighted that he is to take up this role.  

"The challenge of leading our health services is among the most important roles in our public service and I look forward to working closely with Bernard as we work towards our goal of delivering universal health care for our people.”

Gloster himself said: "I am very privileged to have been selected by the HSE to be the CEO of an organisation of such vital importance to the public. 

"Working with such a large and diverse workforce committed to providing the best in health and social care brings many opportunities for continuous improvement in how people access and experience services."

"I look forward to working with the board, my HSE colleagues, partners across the wider system as well as with the Minister and the Department on the health reform agenda.”

Photo: Bernard Gloster. (Pic: HSE)