THE "richest vein" within the health services is the women it employs, according to Mr Denis Doherty. Yet they are discriminated against. At present all eight health boards are headed by males and promotion to any senior management position is difficult.
At present, men hold more than 90 per cent of management positions, despite the fact that women make up more than 70 per cent of the staff.
One of the biggest challenges, he says, is to open up the opportunities for those female staff.
"Raising the glass ceiling is only a minimal improvement, the real thing is to shatter it and encourage talent regardless of gender."
The appointment of a females CEO, says Mr Doherty, is only a matter or time. "In 10 years time a number of CEOs of health boards and of voluntary hospitals will be women.
In 1994 he commissioned a report to investigate the situation. Statistically it was shown that men's chances of being promoted at some levels in the administrative sector were four times greater.