Open to all, but who gets the job?

WHEN Dr Rhona Mahony steps down as Master of the National Maternity Hospital at the end of next year, doctors at other maternity hospitals will be eligible to apply. However a source explained: ‘Anyone can apply, but typically, masters of hospitals come from within the ranks of the hospital. I don’t know of any master that has not worked at the hospital and were then appointed master.’ And Holles Street not only has a record of appointing its own senior medics to the position, but coincidentally three of those who have held the top post were related to one another through marriage. Dr Mahony, pictured, is a sister-in-law of former Master Peter Boylan, who is married to Dr Mahony’s sister Jane. Dr Boylan, who resigned last week from the hospital board, was married to Frances Meagher, a daughter of Dr Declan Meagher, also a former master of the hospital. The source added: ‘It is a rigorous process and they undergo psychological testing.’