Drumm decides to turn down job as HSE chief executive
Health Minister Mary Harney's planned health reforms have suffered another blow with the news that a second person has turned down the job of head of the Health Service Executive.
Professor Brendan Drumm, whose appointment had been approved by Ms Harney, said today that he wanted to take up the job, but was unable to negotiate suitable terms with the HSE.
He said he wanted to resume his current position as a paediatric consultant at Crumlin Children's Hospital at the end of his five-year term with the HSE and also wanted to appoint his own team of six consultants.
However, he said the executive refused to agree to this in talks last night and he has now decided not to accept the job.
The position, which has an annual salary of more than €400,000, had already been turned down by Aidan Halligan, England's deputy chief medical officer.
