Dr Frank Dolphin resigns as Chair of Dublin Midlands Hospital Group

Dr Dolphin has written to the Minister for Health Simon Harris, informing him that he is unable to accept the Minister’s re-appointment to the role of chair for the remainder of the term “due to his increasing business commitments”. Dr Dolphin has also informed the HSE of his decision.

A former chairman of the HSE, Dr Dolphin has had a range of senior roles in healthcare including as chairperson of Temple Street Children’s University Hospital. He was appointed by Government to chair the ministerial review group for the National Children’s Hospital.

Dr Dolphin was made chairperson of the DMHG in October 2013 and “played a key role in the successful establishment of the Group”, a spokesperson said today. The Group is “a critical part of the wider healthcare reform agenda and is committed to providing high-quality, safe patient care in the most cost-effective manner”.

Commenting, Dr Dolphin said: “I am pleased to have contributed to the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. In a short timeframe, the Group has established itself on a firm footing, advancing key reforms to enhance patient care and healthcare delivery across its seven hospitals. The Group is now moving to the next phase with a range of important measures to be advanced, not least developing the overall board.”

He said that given these developments and his “own time constraints”, it was right for him “to step away and let another person take on the mantle”.

Dr Susan O’Reilly, Chief Executive of the DMHG, said: “Over the past three years, Frank has given generously of his expertise and time to advance the work of the DMHG and ultimately the patients our hospitals care for. His leadership and healthcare knowledge was invaluable, both to the Group as a whole and me personally. We thank Frank for his contribution and wish him every success for the future.”