Dr Rachel Ann Jones appointed Visiting Professor at the University of South Wales
25 November 2024
Dr Rachel Ann Jones, the National Lead for Improvement Cymru’s Learning Disability programme, has been appointed Visiting Professor at the University of South Wales.
With a focused career path in the specialism of learning disability, Rachel’s appointment as Visiting Professor acknowledges her expertise and depth of work within the area.
Rachel, a psychologist by background, has consistently recognised the value of specialist research in the field and the importance of evidence-based solutions to systemic challenges.
The purpose of the Visiting Professor appointment is to support the work of the Unit for Development in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (UDIDD), where she will contribute to advancing the specialism through research and strategy.
Rachel said: “I feel honoured to have been appointed Visiting Professor by the University of South Wales, an institution that truly recognises the role of research in improving experiences and outcomes for people with a learning disability, their families, and carers.
“I’m deeply passionate about sharing my knowledge to all corners of the learning disability community and I’m equally keen to elevate others who are exploring innovative approaches.
“I’m looking forward to continuing Improvement Cymru’s efforts to make a meaningful difference to the systemic issues we face and to promote the importance of person-centred services.”
Improvement Cymru is part of the NHS Wales Executive. As National Manager of its Learning Disability programme, Rachel is responsible for creating sustainable improvements in the delivery of health and care services for people with a learning disability.
The programme champions authentic co-production as it helps to drive the Welsh Government’s Learning Disability Strategic Plan 2022-2026. Much the programme’s work has been the first of its kind in Wales, including the development of the Once for Wales Health Profile, the Learning Disability Education Framework for Healthcare Professionals, the Paul Ridd Learning Disability Awareness Training, targeted improvement grants, and the first overview of mortality for people with a learning disability in Wales.
“We’re really proud of Rachel’s appointment. It is richly deserved recognition of her commitment to addressing health inequalities and improving the lives of people with a learning disability,” added Dominique Bird, Acting National Director for Quality, Safety and Improvement.
“Over the last five years, the progress of Improvement Cymru’s Learning Disability programme under her leadership has been inspiring. The programme has been a hugely positive driver for its population and we’re looking forward to it taking the next steps into an exciting future.”
In addition to Rachel’s role at Improvement Cymru, she is also an Associate Fellow and Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Care Professionals Council, and a member of the Health Foundation Q Network Community, which champions quality and safety in health and care in the UK.
Rachel has become a leading voice in the movement to implement improvement science to adapt and advance health and care services for people with a learning disability in Wales, with a mixture of publications from book contributions, academic articles, blogs, and conference papers.
As part of her commitment to share knowledge and develop good practice with national and international partners, she is scheduled to present at the 21st Seattle Club Conference on Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in December 2024 and at the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare in May 2025.