Thomas Frawley

Thomas Jude Frawley
CBE
Born(1949-02-04)4 February 1949
Limerick, Ireland
Died24 June 2026(2026-06-24) (aged 77)
EducationSt. Mary's CBGS
Trinity College Dublin
Occupations
Known forNorthern Ireland Ombudsman (2001–2016)
AwardsHonorary Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing (2014)

Thomas Jude Frawley, CBE (4 February 1949 – 24 June 2026) was a health service executive and ombudsman, notable for his early appointment as a senior officer of one of the health boards of Northern Ireland.

Life and career

Thomas Frawley was born in Limerick, Ireland on 4 February 1949. His family then moved to Belfast where he studied at St. Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast. Frawley then attended Trinity College Dublin.

Frawley worked for several health authorities before being appointed chief administrative officer of the Western Health and Social Services Board based in Derry at 31 years old.

He was appointed Northern Ireland Ombudsman, a post which he held for twenty years. He was elected vice president of the World Board of the International Ombudsman Institute. He was vice chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Frawley died on 24 June 2026, at the age of 77.

Recognition

In 2003, Frawley was awarded an honorary doctorate (D.Univ) and then a Visiting Professorship by Ulster University. In 2008, he was appointed a CBE for his contribution to public service in Northern Ireland. In 2014, he was made an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Nursing.

References

  1. ↑ "Complaints to NI Ombudsman Tom Frawley up 15%". 1 July 2010 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  2. ↑ "Health Trust 'failed in its duty of care' toward sexually abused child". 28 November 2011 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  3. ↑ "North Ombudsman Presses for Reform." The Irish Times (1921-), 09 Jan., 2010, pp. 10. ProQuest, https://qub.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/north-ombudsman-presses-reform/docview/863230422/se-2.
  4. ↑ "St. Marys Past Pupils". ERST NI. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  5. ↑ "Thomas Frawley bio" (PDF). University of Wyoming. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  6. ↑ "Appointment of members". Department of Health, Northern Ireland. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  7. ↑ "NI Ombudsman fears for independence of office". BBC Northern Ireland. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  8. ↑ "Tom Frawley (Vice Chair)". Northern Ireland Policing Board. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  9. ↑ "Remembering Tom Frawley: Former Ombudsman, NHS leader and 'deeply respected' public servant". The Irish News. 27 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "Tom Frawley: 1949-2026". 14 September 2026.
  11. ↑ "Western Trust hails chair who 'cared deeply' for staff, patients and communities following sudden death". 25 June 2026 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  12. ↑ "Tributes to 'much-loved' Dr Tom Frawley following sudden passing of WHSCT chair". Derry Journal. 25 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "Honorary graduates". Ulster University. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  14. ↑ "New Year's Honours 2008". Cabinet Office UK Government. Retrieved 26 February 2022.