Irish Psychosocial Oncology Network’s 2025 Conference
Collaborative Practice in Psychosocial Oncology: Optimising Quality in Practice and Research
20th March 2025 at the National College of Ireland in Dublin.
Kindly supported by National College of Ireland and the National Cancer Control Programme.
Endorsed by the International Psycho-Oncology Society.
From 8:30 Registration / Poster Viewing
9:30-9:40 Welcome
Louise Mullen, IPSON President and National Lead for Cancer Survivorship, Psycho-Oncology Programme and Patient Engagement, National Cancer Control Programme
9:40-10:40 Making Progress in Psycho-Oncology by Doing Better, Doing Less and Doing it for All
KEYNOTE: Sahil Suleman, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Lead for Clinical Health Psychology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
10:40-11:00 Lifetime Achievement Award
Helen Greally, Chartered Psychologist and Director of Support Services, Cancer Care West, Galway
11:00-11:25 Break / Poster Viewing
11:25-12:00 TED Talks
An Exploration of the Barriers and Facilitators to Men Engaging with Community Cancer Support Services in Ireland
Tracy McDaid, Manager of Solas Cancer Support Centre, Waterford
Returning to Work after Cancer (CanWork Trial)
Deirdre Connelly, Professor in Occupational Therapy, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James’ Hospital
12:00-1:00 Stage IV Needs More: Self-Expressed Needs and Gaps in our Care of Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients
KEYNOTE: Siobhan Gaynor, Researcher to Patient and now Patient-Researcher
1:00-2:10 AGM (1pm-1:15pm), Lunch, and Poster Viewing
2:10-2:30 Spotlight on Nursing: Exploring the Role of Nursing in Psycho-Oncology
Edel Fenton, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psycho-Oncology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
2:30-3:30 A Clinical Case Study Highlighting Multidisciplinary Teams Working Together
Facilitated by Nicola Elmer, Principal Psychologist, St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network
Paul Brown, General Manager, Hope Cancer Support Centre, Wexford
Vicky Cleary, Candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner Gynae Oncology, Cork University Maternity Hospital
Helen Coughlan, Senior Social Worker, Psycho-Oncology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital
Natalie Hession, Principal Psychologist and Service Lead of the Psycho-Oncology Services, Galway University Hospital
Grainne Walsh, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health, St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network
3:30 -3:45 Psychosocial Oncology in Ireland: Update from the NCCP
Louise Mullen, IPSON President and National Lead for Cancer Survivorship, Psycho-Oncology Programme and Patient Engagement, National Cancer Control Programme
3:45-4:00 Reflections, Awards, and Conference Closure
4:00-5:00 Poster Viewing and Networking
DR. SAHIL SULEMAN
Sahil qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2011 with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College, London, following his undergraduate psychology studies at the University of Oxford. He has over 10 years of experience working in cancer settings, along with gaining experience across other physical health conditions and mental health issues.
Sahil is currently a Consultant Clinical Psychologist leading on Cancer Psychology and Clinical Health Psychology at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. He also serves as a Trustee for Birmingham Hospice. He has successful developed and grown Psycho-Oncology services in South West London at a time of financial challenge, as well as winning charitable funds supporting service development across multiple services. He has contributed to numerous research studies and publications within and beyond Psycho-Oncology. He currently sits on the Faculty of Oncology and Palliative Care committee within the British Psychological Society, as well as having held leadership and subject matter expert positions within cancer alliances and in support of third sector agencies.
Sahil has a particular interest in embedding psychological approaches throughout the cancer workforce, taking innovative approaches to training, supervising and consulting with colleagues to provide joined-up care, as well as contributing to a number of national developments within prehabilitation and early intervention.
He also holds a strong passion for widening access to and improving experience and outcomes within Psycho-Oncology for marginalised groups and those known to experience barriers. He co-founded and co-chairs the national Psycho-Oncology Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Community of Practice and remains involved in a range of developments seeking to ‘do better’ in this space.
MS. SIOBHAN GAYNOR
I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in May 2019 and then in October 2020, I was diagnosed with metastatic (secondary/advanced/Stage IV) breast cancer (MBC). I had started to experience back pain and fatigue. When I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer, and having worked in the field, my knowledge really helped to accept and understand it quite quickly.
However, metastatic cancer was completely different and it forced changes to my life. I had to medically retire after 31 years of working in medicines research and development, due to symptoms of the disease, and also the fact that metastatic breast cancer is a disease that is life limiting. I volunteer on a number of cancer research committees and am also planning a few trips and making memories with family and friends. Most Stage IV cancers are incurable, although thanks to science and research we are now living longer and the challenge has moved to focus on quality of life aspects. I felt that a survey, with patient input from Irish Stage IV cancer patients was needed.
This MBC survey was launched via Cancer Trials Ireland in July 2023 and in less than 3 months 246 Irish MBC patients fully completed the online survey. The results of the survey have been published via 2 ESMO and 2 ASCO posters and a full journal publication in “The Breast Journal”. The MBC survey project was also recently awarded the Irish Cancer Society PPI project of 2025.
We have now set up an advanced cancer patients committee to capitalise on the survey results and to campaign for changes in Irish advanced cancer care and asking for a much needed focus on advanced cancer in the next Irish Cancer Strategy.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS’ BIOS
