UK cancer centre first to get OECI accreditation

The Christie in Manchester has become the first cancer centre in the UK to receive a prestigious European accreditation noting the quality of its treatments, research and education.

It was presented with the ‘Comprehensive Cancer Centre’ accreditation certificate at an assembly in Amsterdam at the weekend, alongside four others from around Europe.

Medical director at The Christie, Dr Chris Harrison, received the certificate from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) president Marco Pierotti and Wim van Harten, president elect, during the annual general assembly in Holland.

Harrison, who has also been appointed to the OECI board, said: “I am delighted that the treatment, care and research delivered by The Christie, that we are so proud of, has been officially recognised at such a high standard by fellow professionals. 

“This accreditation follows a robust external audit by our European counterparts and takes us one step closer to our vision of being a world-leading comprehensive cancer centre.”

He said it was “an honour” to receive the certificate on behalf of everyone at The Christie.

The four other cancer centres receiving their certificate alongside The Christie are the IPO Porto ( Portugal), IPO Coimbra ( Portugal), FIVO Valencia ( Spain) and The NKI-AVL Amsterdam (The Netherlands).