The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) today announced that its Chief Executive, Tracey Cooper, is moving on to a new role in the UK after seven and a half years as the head of HIQA.

Tracey Cooper said, “I am immensely proud to have been involved in the establishment and ongoing development of HIQA. I have learnt a substantial amount from many people over the last seven and a half years and especially people who use and work in our health and social care services. It has been a huge privilege to have worked with and been supported by two superb Chairpersons Pat McGrath and Brian McEnery, highly-committed Board members, very dedicated and talented staff and an extremely exceptional senior team.”

“HIQA has a very busy and important work programme ahead of it and my decision to accept the new role followed considerable deliberation. However, it is rare that an opportunity arises to become the Chief Executive of an organisation like Public Health Wales which is a substantial national agency in Wales with an extensive remit to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities across the country. On a personal basis, it is a privileged opportunity to be able to contribute to improving healthcare in my home country.”

I would like to thank all my colleagues in HIQA, and those across health and social care services who I’ve worked with over the years, and wish them and our services the very best for the future. Prior to moving on from June, I will be supporting the Board of HIQA as it plans for the recruitment of a new Chief Executive. I have no doubt that HIQA will attract an excellent future leader for its new Chief Executive and the organisation will continue to make a substantial impact in improving the quality, safety and effectiveness of health and social care services in Ireland.”

Brian McEnery, Chairperson of HIQA, said, “HIQA has been fortunate to have had such a committed and inspirational CEO whose focus has always been on promoting better safer care. The Board and Executive of the Authority are disappointed to lose a person of Tracey’s abilities and passion. Tracey has led the Authority since its inception and has brought this important regulatory body from a new entity to a strong steady state. We wish Tracey the best of luck in her new role. We will immediately set about planning for Tracey’s departure at the end of May.”

Ends.

Further Information: 

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
01 8147480 / 086 2447623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie