The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) () for
Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
is the most senior government advisor on
health
Health has a variety of definitions, which have been used for different purposes over time. In general, it refers to physical and emotional well-being, especially that associated with normal functioning of the human body, absent of disease, p ...
-related matters. It is a government post as the lead
medical
Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...
expert in the
Department of Health
A health department or health ministry is a part of government which focuses on issues related to the general health of the citizenry. Subnational entities, such as states, counties and cities, often also operate a health department of their o ...
.
The key responsibilities of the CMO include providing expert medical evidence, especially in
public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals". Analyzing the de ...
matters, as well as leading on
patient safety
Patient safety is a specialized field about enhancing healthcare quality through the systematic prevention, reduction, reporting, and analysis of medical errors and preventable harm that contribute to severe outcomes for the patient. While health ...
issues, emergency planning and other areas.
History
The
Government of Ireland
The Government of Ireland () is the executive (government), executive authority of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, headed by the , the head of government. The government – also known as the cabinet (government), cabinet – is composed of Mini ...
appointed
Dr James Deeny as its first Chief Medical Adviser in 1944. He was succeeded by Dr Charlie Lysaght who changed the name of the role to its current title of Chief Medical Officer.
List of office-holders
Chief Medical Adviser
*
Dr James Deeny, 1944–1962
*Dr Charlie Lysaght, 1962–1965
Chief Medical Officer
*Dr Jim Kiely, 1997–2008
*
Dr Tony Holohan, 2008–2022
*
Dr Ronan Glynn , July–October 2020
*
Professor Breda Smyth, November 2022–May 2024
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
* Dr James Walsh, ?–1988
*
Dr Tony Holohan, 2001–2008
* Dr Philip Crowley,
2008–2018
*
Dr Ronan Glynn, 2018–2022
See also
*
Chief Medical Officer (United Kingdom)
In the United Kingdom, a chief medical officer (CMO) is the most senior government advisor on matter relating to health. There are four chief medical officers in the United Kingdom who are appointed to advise their respective governments:
* His M ...
*
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
The chief public health officer of Canada (CPHO; ) is the lead health professional and primary spokesperson on public health related matters for the Government of Canada. The chief public health officer provides advice to the minister of health ...
*
Medical Officer for Health
A medical officer of health, also known as a medical health officer, chief health officer, chief public health officer or district medical officer, is the title commonly used for the senior government official of a health department, usually at a m ...
References
External links
Department of Health, Ireland
I
Department of Health (Ireland)
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