Who we are

Claire Lehane is Service Manager of the Patient Advocacy Service. She has worked in various roles within the National Advocacy Service since 2012 and has been Service Manager of the Patient Advocacy Service, which launched in October 2019, since July 2019.

Claire is a qualified solicitor in the Republic of Ireland. Prior to her work within NAS, Claire worked as a solicitor in General Practice Law firm.

Claire holds a Master’s in International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy and a particular interest in ensuring that the individuals ‘voice’ is heard in the process.

Deirdre Burke joined the Patient Advocacy Service in July 2020 as Corporate Services Officer. She is a Corporate Services professional with over 20 years’ experience.

Deirdre previously worked with the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) where she managed membership services, as well as responsibilities for governance, compliance and office management.

Deirdre has a bachelor’s degree and has continued with professional development by completing a QQ1 Level 6 in Effective People Management as well as completing the Open Training College Certificate in Patient Safety and Complaints Advocacy. Most recently, Deirdre completed PRINCE2® (Projects IN a Controlled Environment) 6th Edition Foundation.

Kathy is a HR professional with over 20 years’ experience in many areas of Human Resources. She has in depth knowledge of strategic HR support, workforce planning, recruitment, employee relations, project management, performance management, health and well-being, and learning and development initiatives.

She joined the Patient Advocacy Service in June 2021 as HR Executive, providing support in relation to human resource matters and responsible for the HR function within the service.

Kathy holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and in 2019 obtained a Post Grad in Health Promotion and Workplace Wellness from NUIG. As part of her professional development, she has obtained the QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer certificate. She is a member of the CIPD and has worked in both the private, public and not for profit sectors.

Andrew is a communications specialist, with over 15 years’ experience in communications, public affairs, marketing and policy development in Ireland, the UK and Brussels.

He joined the Patient Advocacy Service in June 2020 as Policy and Communications Officer, managing the organisation’s public relations, communications and stakeholder engagement actions and provides support in relation to policy activities.

Andrew gained a master’s in journalism from Ulster University in 2004 and worked as a journalist for several years in local and national media in Northern Ireland, before moving into PR and communications in 2009. Since then, he has worked in sectors including health and community, European public affairs, higher education and not for profit.

Georgina is an Advocacy Team Lead with a National remit and joined the Patient Advocacy 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 14 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

Padraig is an Advocacy Team Lead with a national remit. He joined the Patient Advocacy Service in June 2021.

A graduate a BA in Social care, master’s in health care Practice, Post Grad in Leadership Development and certificate in Patient Safety Complaints Advocacy.

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

Lisa has worked with the National Advocacy Service (NAS) since 2015 and has been an Advocacy Team Lead with the Patient Advocacy Service since 2019 when the service was launched. Prior to that Lisa worked in the disability sector managing Day and Respite services.

Lisa has 10 years’ experience working in the disability sector and 14 years’ experience working in residential settings. Lisa is also the Chair of the board in a newly established children’s mental health service.

Lisa holds a Master’s in Child Art Psychotherapy and is a registered member of Association of Child Art Psychotherapists, a Degree in Psychology, and a Cert in Patient Safety Complaints Advocacy. Lisa has a particular interest in equality and human rights.