National Serosurveillance Programme Steering Committee

What is the Steering Committee?

The Steering Committee oversees the work of the National Serosurveillance Programme (the Programme). It is currently made up of 18 members and 1 Chair, all with relevant experience and expertise. The Steering Committee meets four times a year and secretarial support is provided by the Seroepidemiology Unit team in HPSC. Its first meeting was in October 2021.

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

In 2022, the National Serosurveillance Programme (NSP) implemented a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) strategy. In the context of the NSP, PPI means actively working with members of the public to design, plan and carry out serosurveillance. It means that serosurveillance is done ‘with’ the public rather than ‘to’ the public.

As part of this strategy, two members of the public were appointed to the Steering Committee following a recruitment campaign. These public representatives attend Steering Committee meetings and give feedback on the work of the Programme.

What does the Steering Committee do? 

The Steering Committee gives advice and guidance on important scientific, administrative and ethical aspects of the Programme. They decide what work should be carried out and make sure this work stays within agreed policies and procedures at all times. The Committee also ensures that all activities of the Programme are fair, transparent and open to public scrutiny.

A summary of the Committee’s work is outlined in the Terms of Reference below:

  • Agree what work will be carried out annually and in the future, and oversee its delivery
  • Review changes to the programme as it develops, including changes to current and future priorities, methodologies and budget
  • Provide support, expertise and advice that strengthens the design of the Programme in line with Public Health priorities
  • Encourage visibility, publication and use of data collected as part of the Programme to support public health policies and actions
  • Ensure the Programme complies with legal and ethical principles, in order to promote and maintain public confidence and trust
  • Advise on financial matters, including audit requirements
  • Promote and explain the purpose of the Programme to external stakeholders
  • Encourage and support collaboration with relevant international agencies and partners
  • Oversee the scientific outputs of the Programme
  • Identify, monitor and propose solutions to potential risks to the Programme, including any conflicts that may arise

Who is on the Steering Committee?

 These are the members of the Steering Committee:

NameLocationTitle/Affiliation

Prof Noel McCarthy (Chair)

Trinity College

Professor of Population Health Medicine

Burke, Ms Deirdre National Virus Reference Laboratory Laboratory Manager
Casey, Dr Geraldine Health Protection Surveillance Centre Specialist in Public Health Medicine
Cunney, Dr Robert CHI at Temple Street Consultant Microbiologist
Davey, Mr Ryan   Public Representative
De Gascun, Dr Cillian National Virus Reference Laboratory Consultant Virologist & Director NVRL
Dunne, Dr Jean St James' Hospital Laboratory Director
Forde, Ms Majella    Public Representative
Griffin, Dr Damian Galway University Hospital Consultant Chemical Pathologist, representing Faculty of Pathology Chemical Pathologists
Igoe, Dr Derval Health Protection Surveillance Centre Consultant in Public Health Medicine, National Health Protection Office
Jackson, Ms Bernadette Naas General Hospital Point of Care Manager, representing the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine
Jessop, Dr Lucy   National Immunisation Office Director of Public Health, NIO
Keogan, Prof Mary Beaumont Hospital Consultant Clinical Immunologist
Leonard, Dr Ann Tallaght University Hospital Quality Innovative Manager, representing Peri Analytic and Laboratory Medicine Society
Martin, Dr Greg Health Protection Surveillance Centre Interim Director
Muldoon, Dr Eavan Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Consultant in Infectious Diseases

Ní Bhriain, Dr Siobhán 

Tallaght University Hospital National Lead, Integrated Care, HSE. nominated by the Office of the Chief Clinical Officer
O’Flaherty, Dr Niamh Irish Blood Transfusion Service Consultant Clinical Microbiologist
O'Moore, Dr 

Éamonn

Health Protection Surveillance Centre Director National Health Protection
O’Sullivan, Dr Margaret Department of Public Health, Health Service Executive Consultant in Public Health Medicine
Srinivasan, Dr Shari Beaumont Hospital Consultant Chemical Pathologist

 

If a member of the Steering Committee cannot attend a meeting, a designated alternate may attend on their behalf. These are the alternate members:

 

Name Location Alternate MemberTitle/Affiliation of Alternate Member
Prof Noel McCarthy (Chair) Trinity College    
Burke, Ms Deirdre National Virus Reference Laboratory    
Casey, Dr Geraldine Health Protection Surveillance Centre    
Cunney, Dr Robert CHI at Temple Steet    
De Gascun, Dr Cillian National Virus Reference Laboratory Dr Jeff Connell  Head of Testing NVRL 
Griffin, Dr Damian Galway University Hospital Dr Shari Srinivasan Consultant Chemical Pathologist
Bonner, Dr Colette Department of Health    
Jackson, Ms Bernadette Naas General Hospital Sinead Creagh Laboratory Manager, Cork University Hospital
Keogan, Prof Mary Beaumont Hospital Dr Andrew Beverland Immunology Lecturer in RCSI
Leonard, Dr Ann Tallaght University Hospital Eoin Begley Chief Medical Scientist, Biochemistry Laboratory, TUH 
Martin, Dr Greg Health Protection Surveillane Centre    

Ní Bhriain, Dr Siobhán 

Health Service Executive Integrated Care Lead Dr Catherine Fleming Clinical Programme in Infectious Disease
O’Flaherty, Dr Niamh Irish Blood Transfusion Service Dermot Coyne Chief Medical Scientist, Virology Science, IBTS
O’Sullivan, Dr Margaret Department of Public Health, Health Service Executive South Dr Anne Sheahan Assistant Director in Public Health HSE South

 

 Last updated: 5 March 2024