to overcrowding in emergency departments but the new Government planned to move care to the community, he said. He described the Government’s plan to provide free GP care to all by 2016 as promised by Fine Gael during the 2011 General Election as “ambitious”, but said “everyone is supportive of that objective if it can be delivered”. Magee in his first annual report published on 15 June 2011 found that the financial and service information systems in the HSE “are not fit for purpose”. He refers to the fact that the executive was an amalgamation of 17 different bodies and has absorbed a further eight bodies since its formation in 2005, “Today, five years on, it still largely resembles a federation of former autonomous entities, rather than a coherent single integrated organisation model with a shared identity and mission,” he says. Magee also says “a legacy administrative culture still prevails” in the executive “reinforced in recent years through the highly centralised and rigid public service control. It is seriously out of line with the requirements, the demands and challenges of a dynamic 24/7 operating environment. On 18 July 2012 it was announced that Magee would leave his post at the HSE. The Health Service Executive Governance Bill 2012 provides for a Director General and six Directorates. It covers areas such as hospitals, primary care and public health. Dr James Reilly said the changes will improve patient care and make the system more accountable to the minister. He said that Magee wrote to the Department of Health on Friday 13 July 2012 indicating his intention to step down. Magee has waived his right to compensation for his remaining three years. Dr Reilly said Mr Magee had not resigned and will be leaving during the transition period. The changes come at a crucial time for the HSE, with a budget overrun of €280m and a projected overrun of €500m by the end of the year. It was announced that Tony O'Brien will take over from Magee. Family Magee lives with his American-born wife Rosaleen and their family in County Wicklow. They have four children—two sons and two daughters. References 1954 births Living people Alumni of Trinity College Dublin Health Service Executive people Irish healthcare chief executives