Who are we?

The Irish Society of Public Health Medicine is a registered charity (RCN 20206617) made up of doctors committed to advancing public health in Ireland.  We are committed to improving the health of the Irish population and believe that the appropriate practice of Public Health Medicine can do just that.  Public Health Medicine is under valued and under resourced in Ireland and we believe that can be delivered through:

  1. A comprehensive, safe, effective and sustainable model of Public Health Medicine which optimises outcomes across all domains of Public Health practice:
    • Health Protection
    • Health Service Improvement
    • Health Improvement
    • Health Intelligence
  2. A Public Health response based on the science and art of Public Health practice to meet the health needs and demands of the population of Ireland
  3. A strong, cohesive voice from Public Health Medicine to support a better informed public, government, politicians and health professionals on public health issues.
  4. A reduction in health inequities in the population in Ireland
  5. The provision of dynamic leadership on public health issues by a sustainable Consultant-led public health medicine workforce.
  6. The ability to deliver public health capacity to ensurethe health security of the State, and to meet our obligations under national (MOH) and international (IHR 2005)law.

Founding Executive:

  • Prof Breda Smyth
  • Dr. Douglas Hamilton 
  • Dr. Geraldine McDarby 
  • Dr. Claire Buckley
  • Dr. Fiona Cianci 
  • Dr. Kenneth Beatty 
  • Dr. Ciara Kelly

Current Executive:

  • Dr. Douglas Hamilton
  • Dr. Fiona Cianci
  • Dr. Kenneth Beatty
  • Dr. Niamh Dever
  • Dr Noel McCarthy
  • Dr Louise Hendrick
  • Dr Geraldine McDarby
  • Dr. Fionn Donnelly (SpR representative)

Our Values


                Respect                                   Equity                                   Justice                                                           

                                    Inclusion                                   Diligence

"A fair distribution of health & wellbeing have to be at the heart of building back fairer"

 Sir Michael Marmot

"As we emerge from the pandemic finding the money, respecting the science, recognising the role of government and public services, and committing to social justice will all be needed if health, and health equity, are once again to flourish. That is what we mean by build back fairer."

theBMJOpinion, December 15,2020

"with investments in public health, supported by an all-of-government, all-of-society, one health approach, we can ensure that our children and their children inherit a safer, more resilient and more sustainable world"

–Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General WHO

© Copyright Irish Society of Specialists in Public Health Medicine-All Rights Reserved

Charity Regulator Authority Number: 20206617