Appointments of Chair and members to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly T.D., has appointed/ reappointed the following members to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council.

Martina Ring

Martina Ring started her career following graduation in the first class to obtain a Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Kevin St Diploma in Biomedical Science and a BSc in Applied Science from Trinity College Dublin in 1992. She spent two years as a locum in numerous Dublin Hospital Pathology Departments before going to England to be trained in Cervical Cytology screening.

Returning to Ireland for a post in Cervical Screening in the Cytology department of the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Martina also joined the multi-discipline on call service of the hospital. With the introduction of the monolayer technology for Cytology in the Coombe, she completed an MSc by Research on the introduction of this new technology, and was also a guest Cytology lecturer in DIT, Kevin St for the Medical Laboratory Scientist course, and a member of the Cellular Pathology Advisory Group of the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM).

Four years of screening was then followed by an in-charge role of Histology as a Senior Medical Scientist. Since her appointment to the Laboratory Managers post in the Coombe in 2006, Martina has led a dynamic scientific staff within a Pathology Department, obtaining ISO 15189 in all departments and POCT service, encouraging further education & research, and completed an MA Healthcare Management from the IPA(NUI).

She is a key member of the hospital team who are establishing the National Cervical Screening Laboratory on the Coombe Campus and brings this knowledge and experience to the CORU Medical Scientists Registration Board in a management capacity.

Ms Martina Ring is appointed by the Minister for Health following nomination by the Medical Scientists Registration Board with effect from 9 November 2024 until 30 January 2027.

Maureen Carolan

Maureen Carolan is an experienced Governance Professional and Company Secretary with over 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector who has had a lengthy career in Bank of Ireland and PTSB. In addition to working as a Company Secretary she has worked as a Governance Manager, a Trust and Banking Manager and a Personal Trust Manager. Maureen has strong business acumen and extensive knowledge of corporate governance. In her role as Company Secretary, Maureen has provided governance expertise at a senior level to the Boards of PTSB, Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank, Bank of Ireland Private Banking and New Ireland Assurance. In these roles, her duties included providing principal support for independent non-executive directors and presenting across a range of technical and governance matters.

Maureen holds a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors and a Diploma in Wealth Management from the Institute of Bankers. She is currently undertaking a Diploma in AI for Business and holds a number of further qualifications such as a certificates in Irish Company Secretarial Practice and Share Registration, Investment Advice, Mutual Funds and Financial Services. Maureen also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in European Studies.

Maureen is currently on the Board of “Look Good Feel Better”, a charity supporting women going through treatment for cancer. In addition to this charitable work, she is an active member of the Institute of Directors.

Ms Mo Flynn – Chair

Mo Flynn has 40 years’ experience of the health and social care system, including as Group Chief Executive of The Rehab Group from 2015 to March 2020, and Chief Executive of Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services from 2006 to 2014. Mo has extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, critical financial management, policy development, health and social services, and organisational development. As well as significant chairing and board membership experience in a wide range of organisations working with professionals across many disciplines, she also has experience of public boards as a former Ministerial appointment to HIQA and as a former lay member on the CORU Council. She is currently a member of the Charity Institute Ireland Governance Committee and is a past President of the Irish Gerontological Society. Mo currently provides consultancy services on governance support, strategy development and executive mentoring.

Ms Mo Flynn is reappointed as Chairperson by the Minister for Health with effect from the 1 December 2024 until the 30 November 2028.