Who we are

Georgina is the National Manager of the Patient Advocacy Service. She previously worked as Acting Service Manager and Advocacy Team Lead, having joined the Service in November 2019.

A graduate with an Advanced Diploma in Advocacy Practice Provision, a level 7 Certificate in Patient Safety Complaints Advocacy and an advanced diploma in Human Resources, Georgina has over 17 years’ experience of working in the area of citizens’ rights and entitlements with a particular interest in Advocacy and Social Policy.

Georgina has frontline experience of direct advocacy provision having previously worked with the Citizens Information Service for 12 years as an advocate and development manager.

Deirdre is a Corporate Services professional with over 20 years’ experience.  She joined the Patient Advocacy Service in July 2020 as Corporate Services Officer. In March 2023 Deirdre was promoted to Corporate Services Manager.

Deirdre previously worked with the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting quality improvement in health care, where she managed membership services, as well as responsibilities for governance, compliance, finance, and office management.

Deirdre has a bachelor’s degree, a QQ1 Level 6 in Effective People Management, Open Training College Certificate in Patient Safety and Complaints Advocacy and most recently Deirdre completed PRINCE2® (Projects IN a Controlled Environment) 6th Edition Foundation.

Paul is a Regional Manager with the Patient Advocacy Service. He joined the Service in January 2023 as an Advocacy Officer and went on to be a Team Leader. Prior to this, Paul was an Information Officer with Citizens Information in Tipperary.

Paul has a Qualifying Law Degree (LLB), he is a Master of Laws (LLM – International Law) and has an Advanced Diploma in Immigration & Asylum Law (Kings Inns). He also has a Diploma in Management & Leadership and a Certificate in Patient Safety Complaints Advocacy.

Emma is the Policy and Research Officer for the Patient Advocacy Serviced. Having worked in various roles within healthcare in Ireland, from industry to charities, Emma brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic understanding of health-related subjects. Before joining the Patient Advocacy Service, she was an Advocate with the National Advocacy Service, where she worked specifically with people with disabilities. With both a legal background and practical experience, Emma brings a rich perspective to her role as Policy and Research Officer.

Emma holds a Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law and has previously worked for prestigious international public interest law organizations, challenging systemic injustices and advocating for human rights on a global scale. 

Roisin is the Communications Officer with the Patient Advocacy Service. She previously worked as an Advocate, having joined the Service in October 2019.

Roisin has extensive experience in Media & Communications, having spent over 14 years working in television, radio, online, local press and live events. Roisin has also worked & volunteered with several NGO’s.

A graduate with a B.A. in Irish & Politics, Roisin has also completed a Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Applied Communications with Irish, a Professional Diploma in Whistle-blower Law, Practice & Policy, a Certificate in Patient Safety Complaints Advocacy, a Certificate in Social Media Marketing, a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health and a Master’s in Social Science (Rights & Social Policy).

Alexandria joined the Patient Advocacy Service in January 2021 and is an Advocacy Team Lead. She has over 20 years experience working in healthcare and held the post of Patient Advocacy Manager in an acute setting prior to joining PAS.

Alexandria was a facilitator for the HSE’s National Programme to Enhance Cultures of Person Centeredness. This programme of transitional practice development enables cultures of empowerment that foster continuous approaches to person centred care. Alexandria continued her professional development by completing a QQI level 7 Certificate in Patient Safety Complaints Advocacy.

A committed family person, Alexandria has a grown up daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and is a member of a walking group.

Padraig is an Advocacy Team Lead. He joined the Patient Advocacy Service in June 2021.

A graduate with a B.A in Social Care, Master’s in Health Care Practice, a Post Grad in Leadership Development and a Certificate in Patient Safety Complaints Advocacy.

Prior to joining the Patient Advocacy Service, Padraig worked in the area of advocacy for over six years, most recently as an Advocate with the National Advocacy Service (NAS).

Mary joined the Patient Advocacy Service in January 2023 as an Advocacy Team Lead.

Before joining the Patient Advocacy Service, Mary worked in Eir for 8 years. Her experience includes quality management & training where she monitors calls from a quality perspective and developed training for any knowledge gaps identified.

As a Team Leader she managed a team, ensuring KPI’s were achieved as well as developing the team. She was heavily involved in the setting up of 2 greenfield sites 1 in Limerick and the other in Waterford.

Mary has a City & Guilds/ILM level 4 certificate in Leadership and Management

Shauna is an Advocacy Team Lead. She joined the Patient Advocacy Service in August 2024.

Shauna started her career in Healthcare and went on to work as a Project Co-ordinator in the Pharmaceutical industry. She later trained as a counsellor and has a BA Degree in Counselling, Post Graduate Certificates in Mediation and Conflict Resolution, in Understanding the fundamentals of Domestic Abuse and in Addiction Studies.

Shauna has worked as a Manager in the Community and Voluntary sector, as an Area Co-ordinator in community Mental Health supports and as a Regional Advocacy Officer in a National disability support service and in a Domestic Violence service.

Sharon joined the Patient Advocacy Service in August 2024 and is currently an Advocacy Team Lead. Prior to this Sharon was an Advocate with the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS). Sharon worked for NAS for fourteen years with experience in both Advocacy and Administration. She worked both voluntary and professionally in the Disability Services from 2009, commencing in the project office of the HSE funded Day Service Review. Sharon has a diploma in Humanities, a certificate in Counselling Skills and is currently completing a Masters in Gestalt Psychotherapy.