‘I understand the challenges that a lack of healthcare investment brings’

RAPHOE native Edel Shovlin has been announced as the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Cancer Society.

Speaking to the Donegal News following her appointment on Tuesday, Ms Shovlin said that being from Donegal, she understands the challenges faced by communities lacking investment in healthcare infrastructure. She said this has shaped her career and advocacy.

“Growing up in Donegal, seeing people travel for care seemed to be ‘just the way it was’, I knew it wasn’t right but I also knew no better. It wasn’t until I moved overseas and saw other countries battling the barrier to access that I took note, there are ways to do it better.

“Over my career, I have worked for and alongside organisations where their core values aligned with better care and access for all, in various shapes and forms, and so it has become a pillar of my personal career journey,” said Ms Shovlin.

Ms Shovlin trained and worked as a Radiation Therapist in the UK, Ireland and Australia, before furthering her career in health tech in Singapore and later healthcare operations leadership in a global Oncology provider based in Australia.

After returning to Ireland in 2024, Ms Shovlin joined the Irish Cancer Society to continue doing meaningful work that has a positive impact on patients and their families.

Throughout their tireless advocacy, the Irish Cancer Society has highlighted the postcode lottery facing patients and their families when it comes to accessing timely cancer care.

“Working with and on behalf of the cancer community in Ireland, we take our role and our responsibility very seriously when it comes to demanding the best for cancer patients,” she said.

“Being from Donegal and knowing the challenges that can face communities lacking investment in healthcare infrastructure, it is something I have taken with me throughout my career.

“Equality of access to cancer care is something that drives me as an individual and has driven the Irish Cancer Society for decades.

“I am incredibly proud to take up this role on interim basis to continue the great work of highlighting those issues and demanding better for patients.”

Ms Shovlin spoke about cancer delay data, which reveals a “real mixed bag” when it comes to different cancer types and treatments.

“Where you live and your nearest hospital shouldn’t impact the cancer care you receive,” she stressed.

Asked if she thought the planned surgical hub for Letterkenny University Hospital would improve cancer care services in Donegal, Ms Shovlin welcomed the announcement as a step toward delivering much-needed capacity in the region, while also emphasising the importance of upgrading existing equipment and addressing staff shortages.

“The Irish Cancer Society has long called for targeted investment in particular regions, such as the north-west, mid-west and south-east.

“We were delighted to hear the announcement over the summer of the new surgical hubs in Sligo and Letterkenny and if delivered quickly, we would be hopeful they can assist with building in much-needed additional capacity in the north-west region,” she said.

“While these are hugely welcome announcements, we also need to upgrade existing equipment, we need new equipment and we need to address staff shortages.

“Improvements in buildings, equipment and staffing is only possible with dedicated, ring-fenced multi-annual funding for cancer care and that is something we continue to call for,” she added.