The St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre marks a collaborative effort between St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group and University College Dublin. The primary objective of this joint venture is to seamlessly integrate the world-class patient care provided at the hospital with cutting-edge research and education conducted at the university. The shared vision is to usher in a transformative era in cancer care, significantly enhancing outcomes for patients.
The Centre was officially launched on 28 November 2023 by the St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group and UCD School of Medicine, in the Kevin Barry Gallery, Charles Institute, UCD.
UCD President, Professor Orla Feely said, “The launch of the St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre marks a significant milestone, symbolising a deepening of the century-and-a-half-long relationship between our esteemed institutions. This joint effort underscores our shared commitment to addressing the challenges posed by cancer in our society.’’
Professor Michael Keane, Dean, UCD School of Medicine and Acting CEO at St Vincent’s University Hospital commented, ‘‘The core purpose of the new Cancer Centre is to deliver optimal cancer care through a commitment to high-quality, integrated care, advanced clinical research, and, ultimately, personalised diagnosis and treatment.’’
The Centre was established against the background of the EU Cancer Plan 2021 which calls for an EU wide network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres. The European Cancer Organisation requires the EU’s Horizon programme to be aligned to comprehensive cancer centres to maximise success and benefits for patients. At a national level, the Irish National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 recommends the establishment of comprehensive cancer centres in Ireland.
Comprehensive Cancer Centre designation by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), is a central goal for the St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre.
The Centre’s Vision and Mission are outlined below:
Vision
The St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre aspires to be a leading cancer centre and institute, celebrated for its best-in-class service provision and recognised as the institution of choice in Ireland. Our international reputation is driven by a shared commitment to excellence in clinical practice, education, research, and innovation. We are a centre of excellence, pioneering the latest advancements in cancer treatment and technologies.
Mission
Our mission is to be at the forefront of cancer service provision in Ireland, ensuring that each patient can access safe, compassionate, and high-quality care when needed. Through high-quality, integrated care, advanced clinical research, and personalised diagnosis and treatment, we are dedicated to delivering the best cancer care for our patients.
For more information, visit the St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre website here.