Dr. Kevin Mc Kenna
Conference Chairperson
Kevin has extensive healthcare experience in Ireland and US in clinical practice, administration, education, and research roles. In addition to nursing qualifications he holds undergraduate and post graduate degrees in psychology and education.
Kevin has a special interest in conflict and aggression within health and social care, and in supporting organisations in providing services free from restrictive practices. He has led a number of national and international educational, practice and research initiatives related to these subject areas including authoring ‘Linking Services and Safety’, the Irish Health Service Executive strategy on responding to aggression within Irish health services, the Seclusion and Restraint Reduction Strategy of the Irish Mental Health Commission, and serving as subject expert within the Irish and UK health services.
Kevin is a lecturer in Dundalk Institute of Technology Ireland where he led the development of the first academically accredited programme for instructors in complex behaviours [including aggression and violence] within health and social care. In addition to his academic post, he is a part time practitioner, and remains research active in a number of practice related areas.
Dr. Tess Maguire
Dr Tess Maguire has a joint appointment with the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, and Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health. Her research focuses on forensic mental health nursing practice, including risk assessment and intervention (eDASA+APP) to reduce aggression, and use of restrictive interventions. In 2020 she received the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, Christopher Webster Early Career Award, and the eDASA+APP received a National Award from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standard for clinical excellence and patient safety.
Last year she received the Chris Abderhalden Award for Young Researchers in the Field of Aggression in Healthcare.
Rosyln Mloyi
Rosalyn is a Registered Nurse (Mental Health) with 25 years’ experience in clinical, operational and strategic roles both in the NHS and the Independent Sector. She currently works in a national lead role as Corporate Nurse Director (Positive and Safe Care) with the Cygnet Group.
In her most recent roles, Rosalyn has championed the reducing restrictive practice (RRP) agenda, been part of RRP expert reference groups, developed, grown and led a department dedicated to RRP and training, led the implementation of the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act and, in partnership with the National Patient Safety Collaborative, rolled out quality improvement programmes aimed at reducing restraint, seclusion and rapid tranquillisation and developed an RRP community of practice.
Rosalyn is also a Director at two training and consulting organisations – 1st Med Health Solutions and PMVA Associates. She holds a BSc (hons.) Professional Practice – Violence Reduction graduating with first-class honours with a distinction and is a trained Specialist Senior Tutor with PMVA Associates. Rosalyn has been instrumental in developing and delivering training packages that have been certified by Bild Association of Certified Training as being in line with the Restraint Reduction Network Training Standards.
In addition to reducing restrictive practice and violence reduction, Rosalyn has a special interest in co-production.