Dr Helen Greally

Helen Greally was National Clinical Lead in Psycho-Oncology at the National Cancer Control Programme, from 2018 to 2024, where her role has focused on the development of an integrated patient pathway for cancer patients and their families, through the completion of Models of Care for Psycho-Oncology for both adults, children, adolescents and young adults as well as the completion of Best Practice Guidance for community cancer support between 2020 and 2022. She received the Noemi Fisman Award for Lifetime Clinical Excellence from the International Psycho-Oncology Society in September of 2024.

For many years, patients have identified a significant gap in psychosocial support, both during treatment and especially when they finish active medical treatment, when they face uncertainty about continued support. Helen has devoted great energy to developing evidence-based national models of care to ensure that Psycho-Oncology care is equitable, accessible, and effective. She has been the lead author on three significant publications that shape national service delivery – a national model of care for Psycho-Oncology with adults, a national model of care for Psycho-Oncology with children, adolescents and young adults (CAYA), and best practice guidelines for community cancer support centres.

There is no doubt that Helen has influenced the Psycho-Oncology services for people living in Ireland. The Models of Care offer a clear pathway so that this will no longer be an obstacle to integrated care. Investment in the Psycho-Oncology programme since 2020 has created 44 new posts in cancer centres across Ireland.

Helen is also Director of Psychology and Psychosocial supports at Cancer Care West, based in Galway city, where her role has been primarily to advance and consolidate the delivery of Psycho-Oncology and support services to cancer patients and their families in the west of Ireland in line with best international practice. As the director of the service, she manages a team of cancer support specialists, including oncology nurses, clinical and counselling psychologists, exercise physiologists, complementary therapists, as well as a team of volunteers. The service supports approximately 1,200 people per year.