Professor Deborah McNamara has been appointed National Director of Ireland’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), taking on a key leadership role as the country prepares for its next National Cancer Strategy.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has announced the appointment of Professor Deborah McNamara as National Director of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) on August 31st.
McNamara is a Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and Clinical Professor at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is also the Immediate Past-President of RCSI.
Her appointment comes at an important period for cancer care in Ireland, as the health service continues its transition to six HSE Health Regions and work advances toward the development of a new National Cancer Strategy.
Deborah McNamara’s Leadership Experience
McNamara has held several senior clinical and national leadership positions across surgery, medical education and health service improvement.
She served as Programme Director of the National Higher Surgical Training Programme in General Surgery from 2010 to 2013 and as Clinical Director for Surgery at Beaumont Hospital between 2014 and 2017.
From 2017 to 2024, she was Co-Lead of the National Clinical Programme for Surgery.
In that role, McNamara contributed to healthcare improvement initiatives across the Irish health service, including work related to patient safety, operating theatre efficiency and emergency surgery. She was also involved in developing and implementing national models of care, clinical guidelines and patient care pathways.
Her career has combined frontline clinical practice with research, education and healthcare leadership at both hospital and national levels.
Priorities for the National Cancer Control Programme
Following her appointment, McNamara said her focus would be on strengthening the NCCP’s national role while working closely with Ireland’s regional health services.
“My aim is to build on the strong foundations of the NCCP and provide national leadership for cancer control.”
She highlighted the importance of collaboration with the clinical workforce providing cancer care throughout Ireland and supporting the regions in delivering high-quality and equitable services.
McNamara also pointed to the development of Ireland’s next National Cancer Strategy as a major priority.
The strategy is expected to address the full cancer pathway, including cancer prevention, diagnosis, quality-assured treatment and survivorship, with patients and families at the center of its development.
Supporting the Future of Cancer Care in Ireland
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Ireland’s Minister for Health, welcomed the appointment and highlighted McNamara’s clinical, academic and leadership experience.
“I look forward to working closely with Professor McNamara as she takes up this critical position and as we, together, work on the future of cancer care in Ireland.”
The Minister noted that the NCCP plays a central role in implementing Ireland’s current National Cancer Strategy and overseeing the performance of cancer services across the country’s health regions.
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE, also welcomed the appointment, noting that McNamara will take leadership of the NCCP during an important period in the evolution of Ireland’s cancer services.
“Her appointment brings significant experience of leading clinical change across complex healthcare systems and a strong record of bringing clinicians, patients, policymakers and health service leaders together around a shared objective.”
As National Director, McNamara will lead the NCCP’s work to coordinate cancer control nationally and support efforts to deliver safe, equitable and high-quality cancer care across Ireland.
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