Appointments to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) - 10 November 2021

Following a Public Appointments Service (PAS) campaign, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, has appointed the following as members of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) from 4 November 2021 to 22nd October 2025:

Dr Paula O’Shea

Paula is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist with over 30 years’ experience in clinical laboratory science, methodologies, practice, interpretation and research, resource & personnel management, risk analysis, health & safety, professionalism and ISO standards in medical testing laboratories.

Ms Caroline Byrne

Having qualified in Birmingham in 1994, Caroline’s first job was at Hull Royal Infirmary. In 1996 she moved to Kings College Hospital, one of London’s largest teaching hospital and was appointed Deputy Head in 2000. During her time at Kings, she helped develop an Orthoptic Led Glaucoma monitoring service and was also clinical lead for neuro-ophthalmology patients attending the hospital.

Moving to Dublin in 2008, she joined the eye team at Beaumont Hospital, her experience in neuro-ophthalmology has been strengthened and she established the first orthoptic led pituitary monitoring service for patients with pituitary tumours.

Working as the Orthoptic representation on RCPI working group in Traffic Medicine and on the BIOS Neuro-Orthoptic Clinical Steering committee, Caroline has had extensive experience as a professional representative for the Irish Association of Orthoptics.

On the nomination of the Physiotherapists Registration Board, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly T.D., has appointed the following as a member of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) from 4th November 2021 to 20th July 2025:

Ms Róna McLaughlin

Róna graduated in 1995 from the University of Ulster with a BSc. (Hons) in Physiotherapy. She started her clinical career in OLOH Drogheda, moving on thereafter to work in the HSE and private practice in Dundalk, Galway, Clare and Dublin. In 1998 she moved to Sydney, Australia where she worked in a variety of public and private clinics. On her return to Ireland in 2007 Róna took up a post as senior physiotherapist in Letterkenny Primary Care before being appointed Physiotherapy Manager for Donegal Community Services, CHO1 in July 2019.

Academically Róna has been involved in clinical research projects in the University of Ulster and NUIG, where she completed a Masters in Medical Science in 2018. She also recently completed an ISORM diploma in orthopaedic and rheumatological medicine.