Six Health Regions have been established within the HSE, on the basis of the geographical
boundaries agreed by the Government in July 2019 and they are fully operational since 2024.
Each Health Region is tasked with population specific planning resourcing and delivery of health and social care services for the needs of its unique population. This will result in improved accountability and governance in terms of finance and performance, while also bringing decision-making closer to the frontline.
Health Regions will enable and empower staff to provide services that are:
- Integrated, locally planned and delivered
- Easier to access and navigate
- Available closer to home
Health Regions are geographically-based units with clearly defined populations. They align community and hospital services within specific areas. The HSE will retain a strong but leaner central organisation, with more service provision developed at a local level.
HSE Mid West
The newly established HSE Mid West Health Region manages and delivers all public health and social care services for Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary serving a population of over 413,059 people. The redesign of services will allow new pathways to be developed between acute hospitals, community services, primary care, health & wellbeing and voluntary sectors to develop more integrated, patient-centred care.
HSE Mid West includes all hospital, community healthcare and public health services in the region. This includes:
- Acute Services, consisting of
- University Hospital Limerick
- University Maternity Hospital Limerick
- Ennis Hospital
- Nenagh Hospital
- Croom Hospital
- St John’s Hospital (voluntary)
- Mid West Community Healthcare
Deliver a broad range of community services, provided within and outside of the acute hospital system, and includes Primary Care, Older Persons, Disabilities, Mental Health, and Health & Wellbeing. Community services are delivered through a range of direct and indirect services delivered directly or through partnerships with HSE teams, Section 38/39 agencies, and private providers under SLA agreements.
- Public Health Mid West
The Public Health team works to protect, support, enable, and advise on the health and wellbeing of the population. They deliver services across four public health domains:
- Health Protection
- Health Improvement
- Health Service Improvement
- Health Intelligence
Our Academic Partner is the University of Limerick (UL). Our relationship with UL is
important in improving standards of care, fostering education, clinical research and innovation.
- Community Nutrition and Dietetic team:
- What geographical area do you cover?
We provide services to the Community population in Clare, Limerick & North Tipperary
- What size is the department?
We currently have a team of 1 Dietitian Manager and 27 Community Dietitians based throughout Clare / Limerick / North Tipperary.
- What services do you provide?
The Dietitians in the department provide a combination of 1 to 1 clinics and group education via face to face and virtual platforms. We provide services across multiple specialities including adults, paediatrics, home enteral nutrition, Diabetes, adult weight management and Care of the Older Persons services
- Where are you based?
Each Dietitian has an office base. For example Dietitians are based in Ennis / Limerick City and Nenagh. Each Dietitian delivers clinical care in health centres in their base County for example the Clare Dietitians facilitate clinics in Ennis and County Clare, the Limerick Dietitians facilitate clinics in Limerick City and County and the North Tipperary Dietitians facilitate clinics in Nenagh and Thurles
- If I have to travel from my base to clinics as part of my role will I have to work longer than my working hours and will I be paid travel?
All Dietitians are expected to travel as part of their role via public or private transport. Staff are paid travel and subsistence in accordance with HSE policy. Travel time is incorporated into your day.
- How will I be supported in the Community?
In the Community Dietetics department we strive to value our staff and provide a supportive environment for all staff to reach their full professional potential. Successful candidates will be fully integrated into the Community Dietetics and Community multidisciplinary teams. You will be supported to attend regular professional and clinical supervision meetings, Dietetics team meetings, multidisciplinary team meetings and development meetings. You will be allocated a clinical buddy
- Quality Initiatives & Programmes
We actively participate in national working groups, local working groups, audit, evaluation, research, quality improvement initiatives, and CPD and policy development. We have an excellent working relationship with the University of Limerick and we are involved in a range of research initiatives
- What do staff say about working in the department?
“ I love the variety of my job” “the range of professionals I meet every day” ”I am always learning” “ I love the people interaction” “I have great job satisfaction” “We have a fabulous supportive team” “The team are fabulous I am lucky” “It is very interesting and innovative”
Informal Enquiries to:
Rachael Langan, Community Dietitian Manager
Email: Rachael.Langan1@hse.ie
Phone: 087 4515857