The South/South West Hospital Group (S/SWHG) wish to advise that with effect from 15th May 2023, Professor John R. Higgins has taken up the post of the CEO of the Group.
Professor Higgins is currently the Group Clinical Director for the Ireland South Women and Infants Directorate and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University College Cork.
As a practising Clinical Academic, Professor Higgins brings a combination of clinical leadership, health reform and executive management experience to his new role.
The HSE's National Director of Acute Operations, Mary Day, remarked: "At this time of change in the Health Services, I am confident that Professor Higgins will lead and steer the S/SWHG through the transition to the Regional Health Areas while maintaining the commitment of the Group to continuous improvement in services we provide in the region".
Speaking about his new role, Professor Higgins said:
"I am delighted to take up this position of CEO and build on the excellent work of the South/ South West Hospital Group. I am completely committed to patient care and privileged to serve the people of this region at a time of great opportunity in our Health Services."
Professor John R. Higgins
Professor John R. Higgins is the UCC Professor and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Director of the Ireland South Women and Infants Directorate for the South/South West Hospital Group, and a practising consultant based at Cork University Maternity Hospital. He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. John has a deep interest in organisational reform and change management. In 2009 he took up the post of Director of Reconfiguration of Acute Hospital Services in Cork & Kerry. He gained unique experience from leading the amalgamation of three maternity hospitals to form the state-of-the-art Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), where he is now the Clinical Director.
In April 2011, he was appointed Head of the College of Medicine and Health at University College Cork, serving until January 2017. He was responsible and accountable for the College of Medicine & Health with an overall budget in both teaching and research of €70+ million. During his tenure as Head of College, John oversaw a 17% increase in student numbers, significant research and programme developments, as well as instigating capital projects during a time of reduced state funding.
Since February 2017, John has been the Clinical Director of the Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate. This role is the first of its kind to receive clinical and executive authority over a service under the Health Service Executive. John and his team are working to formally expand authority from CUMH to include the maternity units in UHK, UHW and TippUH and ensure the implementation of the national maternity strategy and service improvements in the south/southwest region.
About the South / South West Hospital Group:
The South/ South West Hospital Group (S/SWHG) is one of seven hospital groups. It is responsible for providing acute hospital care for a population of over 915,000 people (19% of the population of the State) across Cork, Kerry, Waterford and South Tipperary, and a supra-regional catchment of 1.2 million which includes Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford.
The S/SWHG employs 13,081 highly skilled and caring staff and aims to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a great experience for all our patients and their families.
The primary academic partner for the Group is University College Cork (UCC) which plays an important role in developing and improving academic teaching, research and innovation to drive improved health for the population in the S/SWHG.