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CSP Northern Ireland Board

The Northern Ireland Board is made up of members, and serves the needs of the CSP membership in the country. 

The main objectives of the Board are to:

Engage:

  • Engage with members about what matters to them in relation to the profession and their CSP membership.
  • Facilitate the flow of information from the region to the CSP and vice versa.

Support and advise: to deliver strategic priorities

  • Support and advise members, help them to seek opportunities and raise awareness of the value of physiotherapy. Emphasising the value of CSP membership.
  • Support and advise the CSP Northern Ireland Office to provide a key link to Northern Ireland government that enables the CSP to respond and influence in a timely and effective manner to any health policy proposals and consultations.
  • Support the strategic direction set by CSP Council.

Influence:

  • Key stakeholders in the Department of Health.
  • Inform and influence policy formulated by CSP Council.
  • Encourage collaboration to further the interests of physiotherapy in Northern Ireland.
  • Act as a consultative and liaison forum as a Board of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Promote:

  • To further and safeguard the interests of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and its members in Northern Ireland.
  • Raise the profile of the CSP and the profile of the CSP Northern Ireland Board to the membership.

Contact us

You can contact the Northern Ireland Board chair or board members via the CSP Belfast Office at: northernireland@csp.org.uk 

Follow the NI Board on Twitter and on Instagram

Board members can be contacted via Hilary McErlean in the CSP Belfast Office. Please email mcerleanh@csp.org.uk clearly indicating the person you wish to contact

Current board members (2021-2022)

Julie Alexander: Acute Hospital Services/Respiratory Representative

I work as an AHP lead in the SE Trust and represent Acute Hospital Services on the Board.  Outside of work I enjoy spending time in the fresh air with my family.

Gillian Bingham: Learning Disability Representative, and Board Treasurer

Prior to retirement I was a Band 8 in BHSCT, representing the ACPPLD NI network on the NI Board, transferring to the role of treasurer on retirement. I’m particularly interested in extending Physiotherapy links with and educating local government on how physiotherapy is a cost effective intervention, including post COVID and exploring the scope for private practitioners/independent sector and the third sector. Consistent and regular communication is key to the success of any organisation and objectives set from which to work.  I am active in the CPTRH network as the regional representative for NI & ROI, leading physiotherapy in a range of uni-professional and multi-professional outputs regionally and nationally.  I tutor and mentor postgraduate students in the field of Hippotherapy and Equine Facilitated Physiotherapy.  

Outside of work I enjoy environmentally and nature friendly farming and involvement with all things equine. The occasional wine tasting event and now having time to cook fresh produce grown in my garden also renewed interests. I enjoy reading when time to do so. 

Aodhán Caldwell: Student Representative

I am a student at Ulster University and represent the students of NI on the board. I am particularly interested in stroke rehabilitation and preventative interventions. Outside of university I enjoy playing and watching football and going out for dinner (although not much of this going on now).

Suzanne Creighton: Private Practitioner Representative

I am business owner and lead Physiotherapist at 360 Health Physiotherapy and Pilates Clinic, Lisburn and I represent the private practice sector on the NI board. I am particularly interested in Pilates and I currently present the matwork series, reformer series and ante/postnatal CPD course for the APPI. 

Outside of work I love being active with my 4 boys and enjoy snow skiing, water skiing and anything that burns off their endless energy!

Gráinne Donnelly: POGP Representative and Board Communications Officer

I work in private practice within the specialism of pelvic health. In March 2021 I left my position in the NHS as the Advanced Physiotherapist and Team Lead for pelvic health physiotherapy in the WHSCT to pursue my passion in research within the field. I represent the Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy charitable organisation on the CSPNI board. My research interests include postpartum exercise, Diastasis Rectus Abdominis and how to implement ultrasound imaging within pelvic health physiotherapy. I also teach AHP's on each of these areas. I am on the Specialist Advisory Board of the Active Pregnancy Foundation and I am an honorary member of the Perinatal Physical Activity Research Group at Canterbury Christchurch University. Outside of work I enjoy being a mummy to 4 young kids, running, playing tennis and guitar.

Siobhan Donnelly: Southern Trust Representative

I work as a Team Leader in Physical Disability Team workplace and represent SHSCT on the NI Board. I’m particularly interested in Neurology and Long term conditions. Outside of work I enjoy golf and walking.

Hilary Finlay: Otherwise Employed (Independent Sector) Representative

I work as the Lead Physiotherapist in a small team of Physiotherapists at the North West Independent Hospital. My role is a mix of clinical (MSK and elective orthopaedic) and management. I represent the Independent sector on the NI Board. I’m a member of the following networks: ACOPHE, the ATOCP and the AACP.

Outside of work, I enjoy yoga, walking, the theatre and meeting up with friends to share good food and fine wines….which I’m very much looking forward to being able to do again.

Catherine Hanratty: University Representative

I work primarily as a Physiotherapy lecturer in Ulster University workplace and represent Ulster University via the independent sector on the NI Board. I also work as a private practitioner.  I’m particularly interested in MSK physiotherapy and asthma research. Outside of work I enjoy coaching swimming, open water swimming (all year round) and paddle boarding.

Judith Kennedy: MSK Representative

I work as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in BHSCT, both in core MSK physio in RVH and also as a FCP in West Belfast GP Federation and represent MSK on the NI Board. I’m particularly interested in pain management and Physical and Mental Health and am active in advanced physiotherapy, FCP, vestibular rehab network. Outside of work, I enjoy walking, table tennis and reading.

Anna Lawther: Learning Champion/Similar Representative

I am a band 5 physiotherapist in the BHSCT and also in private practice. I hope to represent more junior physiotherapists on the NI Board. I am particularly interested in MSK, Sport and Stroke. I graduated the University of Liverpool in 2018 and am currently a MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine student at UU. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, being outdoors and sport with the latest venture being in triathlon. 

Siobhan Macauley: Belfast Trust Representative

I work as a clinical specialist in neurology in Belfast city hospital workplace and represent BHSCT on the NI Board. I’m particularly interested in Neurology and am active in AHPFNI network. Outside of work I enjoy wine!

Gareth McCoy: Western Trust Representative

I work as a MSK specialist physiotherapist in SWAH, Enniskillen and represent Western Trust on the NI Board. I’m particularly interested in event organizing and representing member best interests and am active in SLWG network. Outside of work I enjoy exercising and hiking.

Aveen McCraith: SE Trust Representative

I am the Physiotherapy service lead for the SEHSCT and currently represent the Trust on the CSP board. I’ve worked full time in NI physiotherapy since 1988 and my clinical background is Respiratory Intensive care and Cardiothoracic surgery and rehabilitation.

Current interests are FCP roll out and MDTPC in NI.

Helen McElroy: Private Practice Representative

I work as a Clinical Lead physio in Focus Sports Performance and represent Private Practice on the NI Board. I’m particularly interested in sport and exercise medicine, MSK and Exercise in special populations. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my 2 young daughters and a nice glass of white wine on a Friday night!.

Bernie McGreevy: Oncology Representative

I am Principal Physiotherapist in the Cancer Centre BHSCT overseeing the Oncology. Haematology, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema services.

I previously worked in the NHSCT for 18 years and represented them on the Board until Feb 2021. Since moving to BHSCT in Feb 2021 I hope to represent ACPOPC on the NI CSP Board. I am interested in all things AHP but particularly Oncology and Palliative Care.  I was the ACPOPC rep in NI until June 2020 and I am currently co-chair of the AHP Palliative Care Forum NI.

Outside of work I have three young girls and we live in the countryside. We enjoy spending time outdoors whenever we can!

Deirdre Winters: MSK Representative and Board Chair

I am currently the FCP lead for the West Belfast GP Federation in BHSCT and represent MSK on the NI Board. I am particularly interested in advanced practice, learning and development, health promotion and physical activity. Outside of work I enjoy live music (although clearly not at the moment) and any activity that’s outdoors.

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