The Patient Consultants Committee (PCC) brings together people affected by cancer to help shape cancer trials in Ireland. We’re here to make sure the patient and public perspective is built into trial activity – from how studies are designed and communicated to what participation is like in practice. Membership is around 30 people at any given time.
What we do
The PCC provides a visible focus for Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) within Cancer Trials Ireland. In practical terms, that means we:
bring lived experience and a consumer perspective to discussions about trial activity in Ireland
help make trial information clearer, more accessible and more patient-centred
advise on what matters most to people considering participation in a trial
support networking, learning and planning that strengthens patient involvement over time
How we’re structured
The PCC has a two-tier structure so members can contribute in the way that suits them best.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee sets strategy and helps guide priorities for the year. It also coordinates PCC activity and acts as a link between the PCC and Cancer Trials Ireland governance structures.
PCC Members
Our wider PCC membership includes people affected by cancer who contribute as much or as little as they like — from joining occasional consultations, to reviewing materials, to taking part in ongoing workstreams.
Governance and influence
The PCC is a subgroup of the Board of Directors of Cancer Trials Ireland. Importantly, the Chair of the PCC also sits on the Cancer Trials Ireland Board, helping ensure patient and public perspectives are represented at the highest level of decision-making.
Meet some of our members
The Patient Consultants Committee is made up of approx 30 people affected by cancer from across Ireland, each bringing their own experience, perspective and motivation to improve cancer trials. Every few months, we’ll spotlight different a few members of the Committee to share a little about who they are, what matters to them, and why they are involved. Together, their voices help shape cancer trials in Ireland in meaningful and practical ways.
Patrick Kivlehan
Patrick chairs the Patients Consultants Committee, and sits on the Lymph & Haem DSSG. He was diagnosed with CLL in October 2011 and underwent treatment with FCR with limited success. He participated in a clinical trial in St James Hospital (2013 to 2018) and achieved remission in 2016. He first became involved with Cancer Trials Ireland in 2018, joining the PCC the same year.
Bridget Carr
Bridget is a member of the Patient Consultants Committee and sits on the Gynaecology DSSG. A self-employed mother of two, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January 2019. She underwent surgery with HIPEC and chemotherapy and is currently on maintenance treatment. Bridget is also a member of the Cancer Research Collaborative PPI panel at University Hospital Limerick. She has a strong interest in cancer trials and is passionate about raising awareness of the benefits of trials for people with ovarian cancer.
Martin Sweeney
Martin sits on the Genitourinary DSSG. He has been a member of the Patient Consultant’s Committee in Cancer Trials Ireland since 2023. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015. Martin is currently undertaking a Patient-led research project looking at sexual wellbeing for patients and their partners after prostate cancer treatment.
Join the PCC
We welcome interest from people affected by cancer who want to help shape cancer trials in Ireland. You can express your interest here.