Mr. John Cooney, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), announced his retirement at the February meeting of the South Eastern Health Board (today 15^th February). This is the CEO’s 44^th year in public office and his 10^th year as CEO of the Board. He indicated to the Board that he would be ceasing active duty on the 5^th of April.

Mr. John Cooney joined the Local Government service in 1959 before transferring to the Health Service in 1970 when the health boards came into existence.  He has served in the South Eastern Health Board as Computer Manager, Finance Officer, Programme Manager for Special Hospitals and Programme Manager for General Hospitals before taking up his position of Chief Executive Officer in 1992.

Speaking at the Board Meeting today, Mr. John Cooney said “The health service is complex, sometimes risky and its outcome can be uncertain.  Its management is always a formidable challenge and cannot be done without the full support of the Board and the staff. This was always forthcoming.  Whist there is still much to be done we have achieved much in the past 10 years. I am leaving the service having given my life to something decent and wholesome. I hope that I have helped the service to continue to grow and develop.”

During the 10 years he was in office, the CEO has implemented many new and innovative programmes to ensure that the South East is in a position to respond to the health and social needs of the population, within the resources available. Some of the major developments include:

• The modernisation of the acute hospitals and ambulance service.
• The broadening of the specialist base in the South East with the introduction of paediatrics, rheumatology, oncology, geriatrics, haematologists and many others.
• Improvements in the scientific and diagnostic services such as the laboratories, CAT scans and the introduction of MRI this year.
• The development of a reliable out-of-hours GP practice that covers rural areas and is extending this year.
• The re-development of health centres in towns and villages across the region.
• The expansion of community services such as dentistry, services for the disabled, home care, health promotion etc.
• The development of the management culture through the introduction of a Corporate Strategy
• The progression of projects under the Capital Programme of the NDP

Interim arrangements have been put in place, pending the appointment of a permanent CEO by the Local Appointments Commission. It is the intention that the post will be filled as quickly as possible. Mr. John Magner, Deputy CEO, will be taking over the position of Acting CEO until the appointment of a new CEO. Mr. Peter Finnegan will be Acting Deputy CEO and will continue to have regional responsibility for the acute hospital services. These arrangements will come into force from the 5^th April.