European award to allow 10% of cancer patients in CUH to access clinical trials

The CUH/University College Cork Cancer Centre is now a designated Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) Cancer Centre

(Left to right) Professor Roisin Connolly, Academic Director CUH/UCC Cancer Centre, Professor Helen Whelton, Head of College of Medicine and Health at UCC and Chief Academic Officer, HSE South West, Professor John R Higgins, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology CUH/UCC & Acting Regional Executive Officer HSE South West, Dr Dearbhaile Collins, Clinical Director Cancer Services CUH/UCC Cancer Centre and Deirdre O'Keeffe, Interim CEO CUH, as the CUH/UCC Cancer Centre has become the fourth centre in Ireland to receive accreditation by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes. Picture: Jim Coughlan

At least 10% of cancer patients at Cork University Hospital could access clinical trials in the next five years, as improvements in care are recognised with a new European award.

The CUH/University College Cork Cancer Centre was awarded the highest level European accreditation on Monday. 

It is now a designated Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) Cancer Centre. The award is for excellence in cancer care, research, education and training.

Chair of cancer research at UCC, Professor Roisin Connolly, said: “Our goal is for at least 10% of our patients to be recruited to clinical trials over the next five years."

Prof. Connolly, also academic director of the centre, said staff are working to “integrate cutting-edge research with patient care to improve patient outcomes and experience”.

The centre’s clinical director Dr Dearbhaile Collins said the European award was significant for staff and patients.

“What this means for our patients is that you know you are receiving the highest expert care for your cancer right here at home in Cork.” 

The OECI is an international network of 159 cancer centres dedicated to fostering collaboration and improving care. The Cork centre is the fourth Irish cancer centre to be recognised.

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The CUH/UCC Cancer Centre team will receive their accreditation in Athens next month.

Professor Helen Whelton, Head of College of Medicine and Health, UCC, said: “The OECI process has required a unified governance model for the Cancer Centre to align academic research and practice.

“This approach is fundamental to strengthening our Academic Health Science System, ensuring scientific discoveries lead to direct clinical benefits for patients.”