National Care Conference

For seven years she was Executive Director of Strategy and Influence at Mencap leading a directorate of around 500 people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Oonagh has held senior roles at the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action and the Northern Ireland Equality Commission, senior roles in Westminster Equalities Partnership and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. She is a former Co-Chair of the Care and Support Alliance, which is a cross-sector alliance of 80 social care organisations influencing at the highest government levels.

Alison advises healthcare providers on a range of issues, including inquests, criminal investigations and safeguarding investigations. Much of her work includes advising providers on issues with regulatory bodies, including dealing with enforcement action by CQC and representing providers throughout the appeals process in the Care Standards Tribunal. She also advises providers on contractual disputes and judicial review proceedings. Alison has experience representing providers and individuals throughout police investigations, including attending police interviews with clients that have been arrested or are being interviewed in respect of criminal investigations. She has also acted for clients in professional misconduct hearings and cases at the Court of Protection. Alison also undertakes due diligence for sales and acquisitions of care facilities and is able to advise providers on corporate matters including registration with CQC and contractual matters.

Dr Malte Gerhold is Chief Integrated Care Officer at Birdie, a digital care management solution for home care, where he leads on Birdie’s work with the NHS and Local Government. Previously, Malte was Executive Director of Strategy & Intelligence at the Care Quality Commission, led the Africa Governance Initiative’s work in Sierra Leone, and also worked at the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, the Department of Health, and Accenture in the UK.

He is a fellow at the RSA, a member of the Sciana Global Health Leaders Forum, and a former fellow at the Cambridge Centre of Science & Policy.