Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly launches National Cancer Registry Strategic Plan (2024-2026)

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly T.D.  today launched the National Cancer Registry’s (NCRI) Strategic Plan 2024-2026.  The insights provided by cancer registry data are of vital importance as we seek to reduce the impact of cancer, a major health challenge in our community.  The systematic tracking, collation and analysis of cancer cases by the Registry enables better understanding of cancer in Ireland.  Registry data helps to plan prevention interventions, improve early detection and enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

The NCRI’s Strategic Plan sets out five key objectives and outlines the organisation’s continued commitment to work alongside Government and stakeholders to improve patient outcomes and enhance cancer control.

The Strategic Plan was completed through a significant consultation process with key stakeholders, including Government departments across the health services, academic and research institutions, cancer advocacy groups, patient advocacy groups, the NCRI Board and Advisory Council.

MInister Donnelly also marked the NCRI’s 30th anniversary of cancer data collection and celebrated Ireland’s 30 years of population-based cancer registration, a significant milestone in the country's efforts to combat cancer.  The wealth of data provided by the NCRI has enabled Ireland to benchmark its cancer control efforts against its European peers and inform life saving policy change and resource allocation.

Joined by NCRI Chairperson, Dr Jerome Coffey, and NCRI Director, Prof Deirdre Murray, Minister Donnelly officially launched the new Strategic Plan and said: “As the National Cancer Registry Ireland marks 30 years of cancer registration in Ireland, it is a good time to reflect on how our attitude to cancer has changed over the decades. Through its regular publications the Registry shows how the cancer landscape has changed in Ireland and how survival rates have improved. The work of the Registry helps us understand outcomes in cancer care and enables us to make policies that will positively impact cancer patients going forward.”

Speaking at the launch of the new Strategic plan, Prof Deirdre Murray, Director of NCRI said: “The NCRI has always striven to be a dynamic, agile organisation that is responsive to the information needs of policymakers, planners and researchers.  In the last 30 years, the environment in which the NCRI operates has seen many changes.  I am confident that our new Strategy will ensure that the NCRI is well placed to continue to serve the Irish public as a trusted source of high-quality cancer data”.

Chair of the NCRI Board, Dr Jerome Coffey, welcomed the report and said: “Through collaboration and innovation, the Registry has played its part in Ireland’s efforts to create a more resilient healthcare system that responds to the ever-increasing complexities of cancer detection and treatment.   It offers valuable insights that have shaped the development and implementation of Ireland’s national cancer strategies, helped to monitor the impact of primary and secondary prevention programmes as well as providing the key indices for cancer control - incidence, mortality and survival”.

Strategic Objectives:

1. Capture a comprehensive picture of the patient cancer journey.

2. Be the independent, expert, and trusted source of cancer data and trends.

3. Enhance research capabilities and develop vibrant and collaborative research networks in Ireland and internationally.

4. Be at the forefront of informing health information regulation and in the deployment of Digital Health Initiatives.

5. Enhance organisational capabilities through investment and strengthened governance.