Appointment of Andy Phillips to HSE South West role described as 'great opportunity to reform our services'

THE appointment of Andy Phillips to the role of regional executive officer of HSE South West has been described as “a great opportunity to reform our services”.

Dr Phillips took up the role on March 1 having previously worked as acting CEO of Safer Care Victoria in Australia.

He has worked in clinical, operational and strategic executive leadership roles in healthcare for the past 37 years.

Dr Phillips described his appointment as “a complete privilege” and said that he is keen to have a values-led organisation.

“The HSE values of care, compassion, learning, and trust really resonate with me,” he said in a video address.

“The first thing I want to do is make sure we all have great pride in the health services that we provide and that the people of Cork and Kerry can themselves be proud of the health services that are delivered to them.

“In order to do that, what I would like us to do is think about the quality of care provided.

“When I think about the quality of care provided, I think about services that are safe, they are timely, they are equitable, they are effective, they are person-centred and they are productive.”

Welcoming the appointment of Dr Phillips to the role, Social Democrats councillor for east Cork Liam Quaide said his appointment to the most powerful HSE role in Cork/ Kerry is “a great opportunity to reform our services and address entrenched issues with staff morale”.

He said that Dr Phillips’s video address to staff suggests “an attitude of openness, humility and commitment to change”.