A University of Limerick academic has been appointed as the new Clinical Lead of the National Clinical Programme for People with Disability.
Dr Rosemary (Rosie) Joan Gowran, Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy at the School of Allied Health in UL, said it was an honour and privilege to accept the role of clinical lead.
“I look forward to working together with all stakeholders and creating every opportunity for solution focused collective action to improve health and social care services, which are equitable, inclusive, and sustainable for all,” Dr Gowran explained.
In her new role, Dr Gowran will provide clinical leadership and guidance to affect the development and implementation of best practice care, and lead a coordinated approach to integrated, person-centered support for all people with a disability, that is sustainable into the future.
Dr Gowran has more than 30 years’ experience working across health and social care, public, non-profit and industry sectors. She has developed knowledge and professional skills through education and research to improve services, with particular focus on building sustainable infrastructure.
Throughout her career in UL, Dr Gowran has remained an active advocate on rights for people with disability, including leading the BeWheelWell Centre of Education and Research for Wheelchair User Wellbeing, and the Postgraduate Certificate in Posture Seating and Wheelchair Mobility Across the Life Course.
She is also a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology GATE, the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals Professional Standards Board, and External Reviewer of the WHO Global Wheelchair Provision Guidelines.
The Heath Service Executive established the National Clinical Programme for People with Disability in 2020 and seeks to support the provision of effective and efficient assessments, interventions, and supports for people with disability that are evidence-informed and context-appropriate in line with the implementation United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disability (UNCRPD).