Former Dean of Medical School Development Professor Hugh McKenna and rector of Fahan Rev. Judith McGaffin appointed to Western Trust board

Professor McKenna, a nursing professor at Ulster University, has 16 years’ experience in general and psychiatric practice and was formerly chief nurse for the Southern Health and Social Services Board.

Rev. McGaffin is a qualified dentist who worked for over three decades in various parts of the health service in the north.

She was ordained in the Church of Ireland in 2009 and is currently the part-time rector of the parishes of Fahan Upper and Lower in Inishowen.

Health Minister Robin Swann announced the appointment of two (Lay) Non-Executive Directors to the WHSCT this week.

They were appointed on March 13, 2020 for a maximum period of 4 years. The Non-Executive Director role attracts a remuneration of £8,283 per annum and carries a time commitment of one day per week.

Prof. McKenna chairs the Inspire Charity and is on Patient and Client Council’s Research Committee.

He is also a Trustee of the Alzheimer’s Society UK. He has Fellowships from five prestigious academic bodies and was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for his work on health and community.

He received the Outstanding Achievement Award by the RCN and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Institute of Psychiatry in London. In 2019 he was named one of the 70 most influential nurses in the 70 year history of the NHS.

He has honorary doctoral degrees from Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Maribor, Slovenia. His research interests are patient quality and safety and the healthcare workforce.

Rev. McGaffin began her clinical dental career in General Dental Practice in Armagh and then moved to the community dental service in the Southern and Western Boards.

Judith was appointed as Director of Dental Health in the West in 1991 and retired as the Regional Lead for General dental services and governance in the Health and Social Care Board in 2016.

She is married to Brendan and has 2 children – David (38) who lives in Scotland and Jane (34) who lives in Australia. Her grandson Riley is almost a year old.