Skåne University Hospital Cancer Centre accredited as Comprehensive Cancer Centre
The accreditation as Comprehensive Cancer Centre means that Skåne University Hospital Cancer Centre has been approved according to the highly set standards by OECI, thus becoming one of 24 centres and organisations in Europe awarded with the accreditation.
“Improving cancer care is a long-term job, and the accreditation is an important milestone along the way. The work we have done so far has already led to closer collaboration between cancer care and cancer research. This will benefit patients, both today and in the future”, Björn Ekmehag says.
Faster access to treatment methods
Skåne University Hospital Cancer Centre is a collaboration between Skåne University Hospital, Lund University (via Lund University Cancer Centre), Regional Cancer Centre South, Medical service, palliative care and advanced home care in primary care. The centre’s vision is that cancer patients should be able to get faster access to new treatment methods, be more involved in their individual care and get the opportunity to participate in clinical studies. The vision is also to achieve an even higher quality in cancer care through a more structured way of collaborating.
“It has become clear during the accreditation process that a close collaboration is absolutely crucial to achieve a high quality in cancer care. With that said, we still have challenges, such as long waiting times for certain procedures and treatments. The accreditation itself does not solve these problems, but the work behind it will help us to improve further”, Björn Ekmehag says.
On-site visits by OECI
The road to becoming an accredited Comprehensive Cancer Centre has been a long journey with several on-site visits by OECI. The organisation has reviewed how the cancer centre works with training, care and research. The newly awarded accreditation means that the OECI will continue to conduct an annual review of Skåne University Hospital Cancer Centre. Re-accreditation is required every five years.
Research is central
Conducting extensive cancer research is a central part of becoming an accredited Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Anders Bjartell, senior consultant in urology at Skåne University Hospital and professor at Lund University, emphasises the importance of patients benefitting from research results – fast. 
Anders Bjartell.
“There are many treatments that studies have shown to be effective. It is of course important that these treatments and medical drugs are put into clinical practice as soon as possible. The fact that we now have an even closer collaboration with, among others, Lund University Cancer Centre will increase the possibilities for that.”
The patient perspective is important
Nick Lamb is a patient representative in the steering group of Skåne University Hospital Centre. In that role, he contributes with his experiences of being a cancer patient.
Nick Lamb.
“Much of what I thought worked well when I was treated for leukaemia, is today a central part of Skåne University Hospital Cancer Centre, especially the collaboration between different care institutions. The difference now is that this is becoming an established way of working.
He hopes that accreditation as Comprehensive Cancer Centre can help to further develop cancer care.
“I think it is important to make patients more involved in care. I myself have been invited several times by care staff to give my perspective on how you as a patient experience rehabilitation. I hope for even more such initiatives.”
Facts: This is required to be accredited
- The OECI's accreditation program for Comprehensive Cancer Centre has existed since 2008 and aims to ensure that all cancer patients in Europe have equal access to high-quality cancer care.
- Being an accredited Comprehensive Cancer Centre means that you meet European quality standards in terms of treatment, prevention, diagnosis, rehabilitation, training and research.