Kirsty Irvine

Kirsty is a passionate advocate for patient and participant involvement and a qualified solicitor, bringing a wealth of lived experience as a health research participant and carer. She has taken part in several maternity-related research studies and is a participant in the 100,000 Genomes Project, along with her family.

She was a founding lay member of the Independent Group Advising (NHS Digital) on the Release of Data (IGARD) and chaired IGARD from 2018 until its close in early 2023. Following NHS Digital's merger into NHS England, Kirsty was invited to chair NHS England’s Advisory Group for Data (AGD) from its interim inception to date. In these roles, Kirsty advised on safe and trustworthy health data practices, helping to maintain public trust and confidence in the use of patient data.

As well as her involvement in IGARD and AGD, Kirsty is currently a lay examiner for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and a supporter of various maternal and child health-related charities.