Rachel Downey, health journalist and communications strategist, dies at 60
10 reported
Rachel Downey, a health and social affairs journalist who later became a communications strategist at the Department of Health, has died of renal failure at age 60, according to an obituary published by her husband. Most recently, she was head of public relations at the Office of the Patient Safety Commissioner, where she led communications around Martha’s Rule, the Hughes Report on financial redress for those harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh implants, and the Safety Gap Report. Downey began her journalism career in Dublin and moved to London in 1987, working for the London Irish News before moving into social affairs journalism. She served as editor of Nursing Times from 2002 to 2008 and left journalism in 2009 to work at the Department of Health until September 2025, when she became seriously ill. She had lived with type 1 diabetes all her adult life. Downey is survived by her husband, two sons, and her sister.
What’s reported
Rachel Downey died of renal failure at age 60.
She was a health and social affairs journalist before becoming a communications strategist at the Department of Health.
Most recently, she was head of public relations at the Office of the Patient Safety Commissioner.
She led communications for Martha’s Rule, the Hughes Report, and the Safety Gap Report.
She was born in Dublin to journalist James Downey and his wife, Moira.
She studied English at University College Dublin and completed a journalism course at Dublin City University.
She moved to London in 1987 and worked for the London Irish News, Social Work Today, Community Care, and Nursing Times.
She left journalism in 2009 and worked at the Department of Health until September 2025.
She had type 1 diabetes all her adult life.
She is survived by her husband, sons James and Colm, and sister Vanessa.
Key figures
Rachel Downey, health journalist and communications strategist
James Downey, her father, political journalist
Moira Downey, her mother, secretary
Vanessa, her sister
James and Colm, her sons
Sources: The Guardian
