New Independent Chair to Inter-Departmental Working Group

Date published: 06 June 2019

The Department of Health and The Executive Office have announced the appointment of a new Independent Chair to the Inter-Departmental Working Group.

IDWG

The Department of Health and The Executive Office have announced the appointment of a new Independent Chair to the Inter-Departmental Working Group.

The group was established to take forward work on historic Mother and Baby Homes/Magdalene Laundries and Historical Clerical Child Abuse.

The position has been filled by Mr Peter McBride, whose appointment commenced on 3 June 2019 and will run for an initial period of one year.  

The Inter-Departmental Working Group was set up in 2016 at the request of the previous Northern Ireland Executive and is jointly sponsored by the Department of Health and The Executive Office.

The group’s role is to consider available evidence, including that from research as it becomes available and to develop and present recommendations to Ministers on a proposed way forward.

Mother and Baby Homes/Magdalene Laundries and Historical Clerical Child Abuse fell outside the Terms of Reference of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry which dealt with historical abuse of children in residential institutions between 1922 and 1995.

The membership of the Group includes representatives from the Executive Office, the departments of Health, Justice, Education, Economy, Communities and the Departmental Solicitor’s Office.

Notes to editors: 

  1. Peter McBride has worked in the voluntary and community sector for all of his career, most recently as Group CEO of Inspire Wellbeing.  He is the Chair of the Board of NICVA (The NI Council for Voluntary Action) and is a Trustee of BBC Children in Need where he is Chair of Million and Me – an initiative directed specifically at supporting young people’s mental health.  Peter is also a trustee on the Board of The Wheel, the organisation that represents the community and voluntary sector in the Republic of Ireland.  Actively engaged in the Health and Social Care sector, Peter currently chairs the “Being Open” workstream in the implementation of the recommendations arising from the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia-related Deaths (IHRD).  With degrees in Science and Divinity, a master’s degree in social work and further qualifications in the management of psychological trauma Peter is a specialist in post conflict mental health. He works nationally and internationally with organisations such as the Auschwitz Institute to influence strategies to prevent further atrocities and genocide. 
  1. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. Mr McBride declared he has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
  1. Media enquiries to DoH Press Office on 02890 520575 or email: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 02890 378110. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt.

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