Who we are

Georgina is the Acting Service Manager of the Patient Advocacy Service. She previously worked as an 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 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.

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).

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

Prior to joining the Patient Advocacy Service, Caitriona worked as a Claims Team Lead for a large international insurance company where she led a team of claims officers and handled claims-related complaints.

She is qualified as a Chartered Insurance Practitioner.

She is currently completing the certificate in Patient Safety Complaints Advocacy with the Open Training College.