Prestigious accreditation for west/northwest cancer network
The HSE West and North West Cancer Network, in partnership with the University of Galway, has taken a significant step forward in advancing cancer services across the region by achieving formal accreditation from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI).
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.
The clinical academic partnership between HSE West and North West and the University of Galway is aligned with the strategic priorities of the National Cancer Strategy (2017 - 2026).
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.
The OECI is a leading European organisation dedicated to ensuring equal access to high-quality, multidisciplinary cancer care. It promotes the integration of research and innovation into clinical care pathways and ensures that patients remain at the centre of their care.
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.
Last summer, the European peer review team visited several hospitals across the HSE West and North West to assess the cancer programme against 345 OECI standards. Following this comprehensive evaluation, the programme was awarded OECI Cancer Centre status.
This prestigious accreditation confirms that the cancer network meets the highest international standards in cancer care and research, placing it among just 20 designated OECI Cancer Centres across Europe. Achieving this recognition involves a rigorous, multi-year review and quality improvement process aimed at enhancing cancer services for patients throughout the region.
Tony Canavan, regional executive officer, HSE West and North West, said: “Our cancer programme was assessed and examined against highly rigorous European standards and achieving this certification is as a result of the ongoing work of our cancer care teams across the region. It also highlights the quality of research being carried out throughout the network and in collaboration with our university partners.
“As a region, we will continue to focus on improving cancer outcomes and delivering better care to our population.”
Prof Michael Kerin, clinical director of HSE West and North West Managed Clinical and Academic Network (MCAN), said: “Engaging 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.
“We 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.”