User:Paula McGowan OBE/sandbox

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Paula McGowan OBE


==== Paula McGowan, OBE, is a multi-award-winning activist dedicated to campaigning for the equality of health and social care for intellectually disabled and/or autistic people. She gained significant recognition following the preventable death of her son, Oliver, which led her to advocate for mandatory training in learning disability and autism awareness for health and social care staff in England. Her efforts have resulted in the implementation of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training (OMMT) in Learning Disability and Autism, which became law in April 2022. Paula continues to work tirelessly to improve healthcare and support for vulnerable populations, both in the UK and globally. ====

Early Life and Education: Paula McGowan grew up in Liverpool and qualified as an early years practitioner in 1985, specialising in children with additional needs, particularly those who are neurodivergent.

Career and Advocacy: Following her son’s death, Paula launched a successful parliamentary petition that resulted in the introduction of mandatory learning disability and autism training for health and social care staff, known as the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training (OMMT). This training became law in April 2022 as part of an amendment to the Government’s Health and Social Care Act 20221.

Paula has been an ambassador for several charities and organisations, including Health Education England, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Anna Kennedy Online, and Dance Syndrome. She has also been a keynote speaker at numerous conferences and events, highlighting the importance of co-production with experts by experience12.

Awards and Recognition: In June 2021, Paula McGowan was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of her outstanding service to people with autism and intellectual disabilities. She has also been awarded an Honorary University Fellowship from the University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Health in May 2023

Personal Life: Paula McGowan is married to Tom McGowan, a Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force, and they have three children. She has recently moved to Australia but continues her advocacy work globally.

1: Oliver McGowan 2: NHS England 3: Epilepsy.org.uk

References

[https://www.avma.org.uk/resources-for-professionals/patient-safety/trainers/paula-mcgowan-2/#:~:text=Paula%20McGowan%20OBE%20is%20a,as%20an%20early%20year's%20practitioner. https://www.avma.org.uk/resources-for-professionals/patient-safety/trainers/paula-mcgowan-2/#:~:text=Paula%20McGowan%20OBE%20is%20a,as%20an%20early%20year's%20practitioner.]

https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/learning-disability/current-projects/oliver-mcgowan-mandatory-training-learning-disability-autism

https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7298077/hunter-woman-paula-mcgowan-awarded-obe-after-sons-death-sparks-campaign-for-change/

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/mum-who-campaigned-sons-death-23762185

https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2022/11/01/paula-mcgowan-obe-visits-university-to-speak-on-health-and-social-care/

https://annakennedyonline.com/2021/06/14/ambassador-paula-mcgowan-obe/

https://enablemagazine.co.uk/learning-disability-awareness-week-oliver-mcgowans-mother-paula-recognised-in-queens-birthday-honours-list-for-services-campaigning-for-learning-disability-and-autism/

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/queens-birthday-honours-mum-bristol-5519938

https://slam.nhs.uk/nursing-ambassadors

https://www.familycourtsupport.social/oliver-mcgowan-manditory-training

https://www.hcpa.info/oliver-mcgowan/

https://www.cqc.org.uk/publication/experiences-being-hospital-people-learning-disability-and-autistic-people/report

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training NHS