By Michael McHale
The work of a west-of-Ireland cancer network was recognised at a recent event in Athens, after receiving formal accreditation as a European Cancer Centre.
The honour, awarded by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), marks a significant milestone for the HSE West and North West Cancer Network, a partnership between the University of Galway and hospitals in the region.
Spanning a wide geographic area that includes counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo, Galway, and Roscommon, the cancer programme provides a comprehensive range of services to a population of 830,000 people.
In alignment with the national hub-and-spoke model of care, complex cancer treatments are delivered at University Hospital Galway, while an extensive cancer care programme is provided closer to home at Letterkenny University Hospital, Sligo University Hospital, Mayo University Hospital, and Portiuncula University Hospital.
In a first of its kind in Ireland, the cancer network has been awarded OECI Cancer Centre status across multiple hospital sites in the region.
鈥淓ngaging in the OECI process has helped to strengthen our clinical networks, improve our processes and expand our research potential; all of these outcomes positively benefit our patients,鈥 said Prof Michael Kerin, Clinical Director of HSE West and North West Managed Clinical and Academic Network (MCAN).
鈥淲e have a vision for cancer care in the region which is built upon the highest international quality standards in treatment, research and education. The OECI accreditation process is enabling us to deliver patient centred cancer care at the highest standards internationally.鈥
The OECI accreditation and designation programme is the only cancer accreditation programme that evaluates cancer services across clinical care, research, and education through a seamless process. The process of accreditation involves a rigorous self-assessment followed by an onsite peer review audit.
At the same event, the Trinity St James鈥檚 Cancer Institute (TSJCI) became the first centre if its kind in Ireland to be accredited as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
Specific designation of a cancer centre as comprehensive requires that it meets a particularly high standard in the integration of science, translational research and clinical trials into the multidisciplinary care of patients.
鈥淎chieving the status of an internationally designated and recognised Comprehensive Cancer Centre is the result of years of work by dedicated and committed staff providing the highest standards of clinical care in an environment focussed on research, education and continuous improvement,鈥 said TSJCI Medical Director Prof John Kennedy.
鈥淧atients can be confident that the care they receive in such an institution has been evaluated by international experts and found to be of the highest quality.鈥
Meanwhile, HSE South West has announced 鈧2.3 million in funding for cancer services in the region over the next 18 months.
The investment from the National Cancer Control Programme will go towards additional specialist nursing support for patients in the rapid access lung service and the hiring of a new post for a regional team supporting adolescents and young adults with cancer.
A new family breast cancer pathway, which will aid in early detection of the disease, will also be established, while a new patient support worker for breast cancer patients will be recruited.
An additional senior occupational therapist and speech and language therapist will also be hired to support an increased number of cancer patients and families in the region.