Biography

After qualifying at Royal Free Hospital, London in 1982, Dr Cass trained as a general paediatrician (children's doctor), and then went on to develop her higher specialist training in the field of disability.

Her clinical interests have included:

• children with autistic spectrum disorders
• children with cognitive impairment secondary to epilepsy
• children with visual impairment and management of children with multiple disabilities, with particular reference to feeding and communication problems.

She runs a national service for children with Rett syndrome, and has published widely in this area.

Over a 15 year period she was consultant in paediatric disability at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she also held a number of senior management roles including Director of Postgraduate Medical Education and Deputy Medical Director.

She has held several regional and national roles in medical education and policy development, including Head of School of Paediatrics for London.

She is currently President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.