Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

117. To ask the Minister for Health the make-up of the cancer patient advisory committee; and his views on the importance of having a lung cancer specialist in view of the lack of lung cancer advocacy groups here. [5267/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Cancer Patient Advisory Committee comprises 15 members, chaired by a representative of my Department. A list of the Members of the Committee, which has been published previously, is attached.

A Call for Expressions of Interest for membership of the Committee was published in September 2018 and there was a very good response. Primarily individuals with direct experience of cancer treatment as a patient were sought as members, although those who supported a family member or close friend through cancer treatment, or those supporting cancer patients as part of their work were also considered. A selection process was undertaken by a group comprising representatives of the Irish Cancer Society, the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme, my Department and a member of the former Cancer Patient Forum.

Cancer Patient Advisory Committee Members*

*The Committee is chaired by Michael Conroy, Department of Health