Former Munster and Ireland rugby star appointed to chief Department of Health role

FORMER Munster and Ireland rugby star Fiona Steed has been appointed as the Chief Health and Social Care Professional (HSCP) Officer in the department of health.

According to the Department of Health, Ms Steed’s professional career spans 30 years of working in the health sector, having qualified from Teesside University with a BSc in Physiotherapy in 1993 and spending her formative career working in the North East of England during the formation of the National Health Service (NHS) Trusts.

Ms Steed, who played 62 times for Ireland, worked as a private practitioner in her own sports injury clinic before returning to Ireland in late 2000, taking up a senior physiotherapist role in Nenagh Hospital, now part of UL Hospitals Group (ULHG).

Ms Steed says she is “honoured” to take on the role.

“The office is something we have championed for over a long period of time, and I see it as a privilege to represent the 26 professions.

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“My initial focus will be on advanced practice, strategic workforce planning and practice education.

“I look forward to engaging with all the professions, the National HSCP office and the Universities over the coming weeks and months,” she added.

Ms Steed completed a Master of Science in Neuro Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in University College Dublin (UCD) in 2007, and a Higher National Diploma in Healthcare Management at the University of Limerick (UL) in 2016.

In 2017 Fiona was appointed the inaugural Group Lead of Allied Health in ULHG which was a unique position within the HSE holding a group-wide remit as lead to six Health and Social Care Professional departments.

During this time Fiona fostered key relationships with UL and the community health organisation which led to significant research outputs and increased practice education placements in the region.

In February 2021 Fiona was the first HSCP to be appointed as directorate General Manager in ULHG.

As General Manager for the Medicine Directorate, Fiona continued to collaborate with colleagues across all disciplines within both the acute sector and the community health organisation resulting in the Geriatric Emergency Medicine unit opening in September 2022.

Outside of work, Fiona can be found either on the side of a rugby pitch or around the committee table at the IRFU where she is currently one of three female representatives. A native of Tipperary, Fiona now resides in east Limerick with her husband, former Irish international rugby player John Hayes, and children. 

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly welcomed the appointment.

“The Chief Health and Social Care Professional Officer will have a key strategic role that will provide leadership on policy direction and evidence-based expert advice for the Health and Social Care Professions policy agenda.

“The role provides an exciting opportunity to develop and strengthen collaboration across the professions, as well as leading and enabling advanced practice,” he added.