A COUNTY Limerick man has been appointed chief executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE), in succession to Paul Reid who resigned from the position in October.
Bernard Gloster, who is a native of Kildimo, is chief executive of child and family agency Tusla and has spent more than 30 years working in the health service. He is expected to take up his new position with the HSE next Spring.
He held several senior management positions including chief officer of HSE Mid West Community Healthcare, and has worked in both community and acute hospital operations.
A social care worker by profession, he holds an MBA from Oxford Brookes University and an MSc in Management Practice from UCC.
In a statement this morning, the HSE said the appointment comes following an “open, competitive selection process”.
Announcing the appointment, the Chairman of the HSE Board Ciarán Devane said he is “delighted that someone of Bernard’s experience, both within the HSE and externally within Tusla, is taking up this role”.
“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.”
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said that Mr 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.”
Children’s Rights Alliance chief executive Tanya Ward said she wasn’t surprised by Mr Gloster’s appointment because of his work with Tusla where he significantly enhanced the delivery of services, promoted innovation, built staff morale and helped change the direction of the organisation.
“However, what has always been clear, is his commitment to the people Tusla was servicing – children, young people and families. His leadership of Tusla through the turbulent years of the Covid-19 pandemic was outstanding,” she explained.
“Tusla kept its focus on the most vulnerable children and its staff, programmes and partners were motivated to deliver the best possible service. A great communicator and relationship builder, Gloster has worked hard to bring civil society and groups working with children, young people and families along with him.
“Tusla will have many more challenges ahead in its journey but Gloster has set it on the right path. He has brought together a great management team that are ready to continue to build on this important work. Gloster is a great appointment for the HSE at a challenging time. He will be well-placed to bring a renewed focus to services for children, young people and families,” Ms Ward added.
