HSE South West media release
Friday, June 13, 2025
What this accreditation means for patients (video) by Margaret Allen, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Acute Haematology Oncology Service.
Role of patient feedback in the accreditation process (video) by Derry McCarthy, Quality Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist, Radiation Oncology Dept
HSE South West is proud to announce that the CUH/UCC Cancer Centre received its gold standard European accreditation today, in Athens. The Cork centre is now a designated Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) Cancer Centre.
The OECI accreditation certification ceremony took place at the Royal Olympic Hotel Athens today, as part of ‘Oncology Days 2025’, hosted by the General Oncology Hospital of Athens, Saint Savvas. The annual conference is a gathering of cancer experts, clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals from across Europe and beyond.
This accreditation recognises excellence in cancer care, research, education and training. It marks a significant milestone in the development of the Cancer Centre - a collaboration between Cork University Hospital and University College Cork - with strong regional support from HSE South West.
Regional Executive Officer, HSE South West Dr Andy Phillips said:
“To be formally accredited as an OECI Cancer Centre is great recognition for the years of hard work to improve care for people with cancer. I am very proud of our dedicated staff, who are committed to delivering excellent cancer care for our communities in Cork and Kerry.
“We are working hard to continually improve outcomes for people with cancer and their families. Our accreditation requires us to deliver our Quality Improvement Plan with 25 actions that must be delivered over the next five years. I congratulate the team for their work on getting this accreditation and look forward to working with them to ensure that we do even better for the people we are privileged to serve.”
Professor Roisin Connolly, Academic Director CUH/UCC Cancer Centre, said:
“I am immensely proud to accept this prestigious accreditation at the annual OECI meeting on behalf of all my colleagues in the CUH/UCC Cancer Centre. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our multidisciplinary team, whose hard work and commitment to continuous quality improvement played a crucial role in securing this accreditation to benefit cancer care regionally.”
Dr Claire O’Regan, OECI Project Manager added:
“I would like to thank the whole team for working so hard to achieve OECI accreditation. The process was a thorough and collaborative effort, and it underscores an unwavering commitment to delivering the safest and highest-quality care to patients with cancer in HSE South West.
“We are currently working to set-up a Cancer Centre programme office to spearhead implementation of the Quality Improvement Plan. I look forward to working with the team over the next five years to deliver the comprehensive plan we have developed with OECI.”
Professor Aisling Barry, Chair of Radiation Oncology, Consultant Radiation oncologist and Education lead for CUH/UCC Cancer Centre said:
“Being designated an OECI Cancer Centre will enhance the clinical and research ecosystem regionally and attract funding and experts to work in this region. I am delighted to collaborate with cancer colleagues from cancer centres across Europe on this.”
Jane Shanahan, Assistant Director of Nursing Cancer Centre, Cork University Hospital commented:
“This achievement is the result of years of hard work, dedication, and a shared commitment to delivering the highest standards in cancer care. It is a privilege to receive this recognition on behalf of the CUH team.”
Last updated on: 13 / 06 / 2025
