The HSE's Chief Information Officer has announced his intention to resign.

According to the executive, his resignation has nothing to do with news this morning that thousands of patients may need medical tests re-done because of a computer error.

Richard Corbridge has been the HSE's Chief Information Officer since December 2014.

Earlier this week, he announced in an email his intention to resign, and is expected to stay in the role until November.

A spokesperson for the HSE says he has decided to leave to return to the UK where he's originally from.

He used to work with the NHS where he specialised in IT development.

The HSE say the decision has nothing to do with today's revelation that patients across the state may need to have medical tests re-done.

It's because of a computer error affecting 25,000 X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds.

The HSE said the error represents a relatively low risk to patients.