General Manager, Health Regions

Title of Post:

General Manager, Health Regions (Integrated Service Delivery Model), HSE South West

Details of Service:

Each Health Region within the HSE is made up of between 2 and 4 Integrated Healthcare Areas (IHAs). Within the IHA and in line with the ISD model, all health and social care services will be managed by an integrated management team led by the Integrated Healthcare Area Manager. Each IHA management team is responsible for the health and wellbeing needs of the whole population within the geographic area, including access and care coordination and the local delivery of safe, high quality, person-centred services.

Building on the established Community Healthcare Networks (CHNs), most community-based services will be delivered within a Community Healthcare Area (CHA) and will be organised around the CHN geography. Within the ISD Model, the term Community Healthcare Area (CHA) refers to the integrated management and organisation of a range of health and social care services at the level of a CHN geography. The CHA will work collaboratively with teams in hospitals and specialist community services. All services will work closely with partner organisations through agreed contractual arrangements and will also foster strong engagement with voluntary and community groups to serve the population in their area. The integrated approach to the overall management of all community-based, hospital and specialist services within the geographic area is designed to:

• Facilitate a person-centred, community-first delivery model where services, funding, and governance are co-ordinated around the needs of the population.
• Ensure clear pathways of care that are easy to navigate and as close to home as possible better serving people at all stages throughout their lives.

The ISD Model is based on the following key features:

• A geographic and population focused model, driving integrated services for patients and service users in line with Sláintecare principles.
• A standardised approach to service configuration that also reflects local contexts and requirements.
• A flat integrated structure where IHA Managers and associated management teams are operationally focused. Hospital Managers / Hospital CEOs, IHA Service Lead and General Managers, report directly to the IHA Manager. Clinical leaders and business support teams will work collaboratively with operational management colleagues to serve the needs of the system at IHA level.
• A Community Healthcare Area (CHA) will provide the integrated management and organisation of a range of health and social care services at the level of a CHN geography.
• Services that are more specialist / complex and / or serve a wider geography are managed across the full IHA.
• Networks of Care driving standardisation, quality and safety across the IHAs and Health Regions will also be a key feature of the ISD model.

The accountabilities and responsibilities of this post are determined in line with the following criteria to be applied in a fair and equitable manner:

• Alignment with the nationally agreed ISD Model.
• Collaborative, integrated working arrangements consistent with the ISD Model.
• Equitable responsibilities commensurate with the grade, including appropriate spans of control.

o Designation of responsibilities aligned to portfolios of work within IHAs and across the Health Region. Portfolios of work assigned will take into consideration local context and factors such as the scale, complexity of services, population size, demographics and diversity of health and social care needs.

• Experience, skills and knowledge to fulfil the role.

The move to population-based service planning and delivery (as a core objective in Sláintecare) from a care group approach represents a significant change to the way services have been delivered previously. IHA Managers have operational and clinical accountability for all services. As in the current system, matrix working will be required to provide clinical and professional governance and assurance for services, staff and patients / services users. Matrix working in Irish health and social care involves collaborating across different professional, geographic, and organisational boundaries to deliver integrated, patient-centered care. In a matrix structure, leadership responsibilities are split between geographic (regional) and functional (service area) lines. This role will be key in achieving this as part of the IHA Management team.

This job spec is based on best current thinking and stage of development of the ISD model, review of care group processes, development of Networks of Care and associated clinical governance framework. The role is subject to further refinement as this work progresses – it will be overseen by the REOs in collaboration with the Organisational Change Unit and in line with the Health Region Steering Group requirements.

Key Working Relationships:

The General Manager will work with the following:

• All members of the IHA Management Team representing the full range of services
• Clinical functions within and across the IHAs
• Business functions within and across the Health Region and IHAs
• All members of the Health Region Executive Management Team including:
• Regional Planning and Performance
• Clinical leadership roles at Health Region
• Technology and Transformation teams
• All staff groups within the Community Healthcare Areas
• Regulatory bodies as relevant to the role
• All service managers and teams within their area of responsibility
• All relevant voluntary, partner organisations and other statutory services i.e. local authorities etc.
• Regional QSSI
• Public Patient Partnership Engagement function
• Local community groups relevant to the delivery of services at local level
• Department of Health, DCEDIY and other government departments as required
• Change & Innovation Hub team including service improvement and other development partners
• Education and academic partners
• National Services (Access and Integration, Office of the Chief Clinical Officer, Planning and Performance) as relevant to the role

Purpose of Post:

The General Manager will be a member of the IHA management team – this team will be collectively responsible for leading and enabling integrated work practices and cross service working at all levels within the IHA to serve the needs of their local population in line with the agreed matrix working arrangements.

• The General Manager will have operational accountability for a defined portfolio of community-based services delivered within the Community Healthcare Areas, as agreed with the REO and IHA Manager to meet population needs focused on service quality, safety and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities in collaboration with the IHA Manager, IHA Service Lead associated management team will be delivered through a collective leadership approach and will include:

• Being accountable and responsible for the delivery of a designated portfolio of services at CHA level including assigned regulated services
• Playing a key support role in supporting and executing the implementation of the ISD Model and its associated governance structures.
• Assuming a support role for defined care group and Networks of Care within their agreed portfolio, including driving integration through multi-disciplinary and integrated working.
• Leading the continuous improvement of service quality, risk management, and patient safety, including implementing performance monitoring systems and upholding safety and quality benchmarks.
• Supporting the IHA Service Lead to manage business and resource aspects, including budgetary oversight, participating in contract management and service agreements, and promoting sustainability initiatives.
• Developing and nurturing partnerships with patients, communities, and staff, ensuring effective communication and engagement across all levels.

Informal Enquiries:

For queries in relation to IHA Cork South & West please contact:

Priscilla Lynch, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, Cork South and West. Email: Priscilla.Lynch@hse.ie

For queries in relation to IHA Cork North & East please contact:

Sonya Cotter, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, Cork North and East. Email: sonya.cotter@hse.ie

For queries in relation to IHA Kerry please contact:

Julie O’Neill, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, Kerry. Email: Julie.oneill@hse.ie