Minister for Health announces call for expressions of interest for membership of the Cancer Patient Advisory Committee
From Department of Health
Published on
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From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly today announced a call for expressions of interest for membership of the Cancer Patient Advisory Committee.
The Cancer Patient Advisory Committee was established in 2019 to provide input into the development of programmes for patients with cancer.
It is primarily made up of people with direct experience of cancer treatment, either as patients or supporters of cancer patients or those who support cancer patients as part of their work.
Launching the call for expressions of interest, Minister Donnelly said:
"The input of the Cancer Patient Advisory Committee into policy formulation and planning helps to ensure that our cancer services continue to serve the needs of people living with and beyond cancer to the highest possible standard. I would like to thank Committee members for their commitment and contribution to date. This has been invaluable in providing direct, effective cancer patient input into the development of programmes and services."
Committee member Mary Holden said:
"The best cancer services are developed when patients with a cancer diagnosis have had their voice heard. That’s the aim of the Cancer Patient Advisory Committee – to hear those voices, listen to the messages, and bring them to the table. As a Committee Member for the past two years, we are committed to work with the Department of Health to represent the voice of everyone across Ireland whose life has been touched by cancer."
The application period will run until 25 November 2024. Further information about the Committee and the Expression of Interest form are available. The full text of the National Cancer Strategy is also available.
The four overarching goals of the National Cancer Strategy are to:
The Cancer Patient Advisory Committee was established in 2019, in line with Recommendation 39 of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, which states that: “The Department of Health will establish a Cancer Patient Advisory Committee to provide input into the development of programmes for patients with cancer."
Membership of this committee will reflect the diverse nature of cancer patients living with the effects of cancer and will ensure that the needs of patients living in more remote areas are represented.
The Committee is comprised of 15 members, plus a Chair (Department of Health). A representative of the National Cancer Control Programme attends meetings of the Committee. The vacancies to be filled have arisen from an intended turnover in membership.
The selection process will be undertaken by a group comprising representatives of the Irish Cancer Society, the Health Service Executive’s National Cancer Control Programme, the Department of Health, and a member of the former Cancer Patient Advisory Committee.