TSJCI receives prestigious Comprehensive Cancer Centre status

Posted on: 26 June 2025

The Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute (TSJCI) has become the first and only cancer centre in Ireland to be accredited as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre. This prestigious award from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) is the culmination of almost a decade’s work at Dublin’s biggest hospital, St James’s Hospital, and Ireland’s leading research university, Trinity College Dublin. Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, T.D., was guest of honour today at an event in St James’s Hospital to announce the award. 

Comprehensive Cancer Centres offer substantial and tangible benefits to patients that positively impact their care, outcomes and overall experience. Among the many advantages for patients treated at comprehensive cancer centres are that they often have better outcomes, have a better experience and feel more supported during and after their treatment; patients are treated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists who work together to create the best treatment plan for their specific cancer.

Minister Carroll MacNeill, said:

“I am really proud to celebrate the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute's remarkable achievement in becoming Ireland's first and only accredited Comprehensive Cancer Centre. This prestigious recognition, by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes, is a testament to the dedication and excellence of the teams at St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin.

 “Cancer centres provide unparalleled benefits to patients, ensuring they receive the highest standard of care, improved outcomes, and a more positive treatment experience. Comprehensive Cancer Centres like TSJCI bring an additional focus on research and training which can expand the treatment options available for patients now and into the future. This milestone marks a significant advancement in cancer care for Ireland, and I look forward to seeing the continued impact of this institution on patient lives.”

Minister Carroll MacNeill (centre) with (from left) Dr Linda Doyle, Provost; Prof. Orla Sheils, Vice-Provost; Dr. Sinéad Impey, Clinical Tutor (Health Informatics), School of Nursing & Midwifery, and Dr. Frances O’Brien, Associate Professor, School of Nursing & Midwifery

Speaking about the award, Prof John Kennedy, Medical Director of TSJCI, said:

“Achieving the status of an internationally designated and recognised comprehensive cancer centre is the result of years of work by dedicated and committed staff providing the highest standards of clinical care in an environment focussed on research, education and continuous improvement. Patients can be confident that the care they receive in such an institution has been evaluated by international experts and found to be of the highest quality.”

Prof Maeve Lowery, Academic Director TSJCI, stated:

“Designation as a CCC by OECI demonstrates that our achievements in cancer research, education and patient care are equal to the top centres in Europe. We can build on this framework to drive forward innovation in cancer research and translate new findings into improvements in patient-centred cancer care.”

(Left to right) Sarah Wade, Project Lead, TSJCI, Nicola Keohane, Young Onset Cancer Coordinator, Patricia Doherty, OECI Coordinator and Programme Manager, TSJCI/TCD, Cathy Enright, Programme Manager, TSJCI, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health, Sharon Slattery, Director of Nursing, St James’s Hospital, Prof John Kennedy, Medical Director, TSJCI, Grainne Smith, PPP Lead, TSJCIProf Lorraine O’Driscoll, Research Lead, TSJCI and Prof Maeve Lowery, Academic Director, TSJCI at the event at the Trinity St James's Cancer Institute.

TSJCI was the first cancer centre in Ireland to be accredited by the OECI in 2019. Its new elevated status as a comprehensive cancer centre comes after rigorous evaluation by the OECI, adherence to best practice in cancer care, research and education and close co-operation between St James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin and St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network. This designation places TSJCI at the forefront of cancer care in Ireland alongside other leading European cancer centres such as the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital in the UK and the Karolinska in Sweden.

 Dr Linda Doyle, Provost and President of Trinity College Dublin, said:

“This is excellent news for patients receiving care at the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute. The OECI accreditation recognises the close integration of research with clinical practice at TSJCI, allowing the quick adaptation of research advances for the benefit of patients. The accreditation also affirms TSJCI as a fantastic environment for researchers to deepen their expertise and advance their work.”

CEO of St James’s Hospital, Prof Mary Day said:

“This a huge day for everyone involved with TSJCI.  We have been found to be among the premier cancer centres in Europe which benefits our patients, but also our staff who have access to continuous education opportunities and are now part of a network of other comprehensive cancer centres where we can share learning, best practice and innovation. This is part of our vision to establish an Academic Health Science Centre on the St James’s Hospital campus.”

 The OECI accreditation process recognised the difficulties that cancer centres often have in relation to organising supportive care, palliative care and survivorship for patients. However, the OECI highlighted that all of these elements are not only implemented but are at the centre of patient care in TSJCI. 

Minister Carroll MacNeill with the Patient Representative Group at the event

Patient Finbarr Crotty, who is currently undergoing treatment at TSJCI for lung cancer, said:

“As the OECI report outlined, patients like me not only experience a very compassionate approach by staff at TSJCI, but we are also proactively involved in the development of care and research which directly impacts us. That makes me feel that I have the opportunity to contribute directly to not just my own care, but also ways to constantly drive improvements to the care of other patients at the centre.”

TSJCI received its official accreditation at an OECI event in Athens this month. Yesterday's event at St James’s Hospital saw patients, staff and members of the HSE and Department of Health in attendance to celebrate this key milestone in cancer care in Ireland. 

• Tags:
• Awards and Funding
• Community
• Health
• Research
• Society