SVUH Hosts Ireland’s First-Ever Liver Cancer Nurse’s Study Day

4th October 2024

Over 70 Nurses from across the country attend as Ireland’s De facto National Service leads the way in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Care

St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) proudly hosted the inaugural Liver Cancer Nurse’s Study Day today, with Prof Risteárd Ó Laoide, National Director of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), delivering the opening address. This is the first event of its kind in Ireland, drawing over 70 nurses from across the country. The event provided a much-needed platform for education, knowledge sharing and peer networking, particularly focused on Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)—the most common form of primary liver cancer.

Taking place during Liver Cancer Awareness Month, today’s event is a significant milestone in Ireland’s efforts to raise awareness about liver cancer. As the country’s only comprehensive service for liver cancer, SVUH has taken the lead in providing vital education for healthcare professionals who are at the forefront of patient care.

Michèle Bourke, HCC ANP at SVUH and the organiser of this ground-breaking event, shared:
“October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month. As there is so little awareness of this disease nationally, we are proud to present this inaugural event. The incidence of liver disease is rising in the Western world, and with that, so too is primary liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma. Today has been about education, information sharing, discussing best practice initiatives and peer networking. We are so delighted to have had more than 70 nurses attend today’s Study Day, coming from all over Ireland. The response has been phenomenal, with many already asking us to organise another event next year.”

The day featured a comprehensive programme covering key topics such as liver transplantation, systemic therapies, palliative care and psychological support for liver cancer patients. The feedback from nurse attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with one attendee commenting:
“I’ve never had access to this kind of information before. I learned so much today and the whole event was so professional and well-organised.”

Another attendee said:
“This has been such a comprehensive learning experience. The biggest question from all of us is: Will this be happening again next year?”

The event reflects SVUH’s commitment to advancing liver cancer care in Ireland and addressing the critical shortage of education for healthcare professionals dealing with this rare but increasingly common cancer type.

Ann Flynn, Director of Nursing at SVUH, also praised the day’s success, stating:
“The commitment of our nurses to ongoing learning and patient care ensures that our liver cancer patients receive the best possible outcomes. We are incredibly proud of our teams and their dedication to tackling one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.”

As the de facto national service for liver cancer, SVUH continues to lead the charge in developing comprehensive care solutions for patients while supporting the professional growth of nurses nationwide.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Jennie Cotter | Corporate Communications Manager | jcotter@svhg.ie