St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre awarded European recognition for excellence in cancer care

24th June 2026

St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre has been designated as an OECI Cancer Centre by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes.

The Centre is a partnership between St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group and University College Dublin, bringing together cancer services and expertise across St. Vincent’s University Hospital and St. Vincent’s Private Hospital with UCD’s research, education and academic strength.

The designation recognises excellence across clinical care, surgical specialisation, cancer research and education and marks an important milestone for cancer services at St. Vincent’s.

St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre provides the largest volume of cancer care nationally and is home to six national designations, including pancreatic cancer, primary liver cancer, sarcoma, neuroendocrine tumours, testicular cancer and Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT). The Centre also supports national cancer screening and diagnostic pathways, including breast, bowel and prostate cancer services.

The OECI recognition reflects the scale and quality of cancer care delivered across St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group and University College Dublin. It also highlights the close connection between patient care, specialist expertise, research, education and innovation.

For patients, the designation provides reassurance that cancer services at St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre are being delivered to a recognised European standard. It reflects access to specialist multidisciplinary teams, advanced surgical expertise, clinical trials, research-informed care and a strong focus on improving outcomes and patient experience.

For staff, it is an important acknowledgement of the expertise, dedication and teamwork shown across cancer services and the many clinical, nursing, health and social care professional, scientific, research, administrative and support teams who contribute to patient care every day.

Pauline McGrath, CEO, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, said:

“This designation is a proud and important moment for St Vincent’s University Hospital. It recognises the outstanding work of our teams and the depth of specialist cancer care provided here every day. Most importantly, it reflects our commitment to patients ensuring that people affected by cancer have access to expert, compassionate, research-informed care. I want to sincerely thank all our staff whose dedication has made this achievement possible.”

Dr David Fennelly, Clinical Director for Cancer Services at SVUH, St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre and the Dublin Southeast Health Region, said:

“This recognition reflects many years of work to build an integrated cancer centre where clinical care, research, education and innovation are closely connected. Cancer care is increasingly complex and patients benefit when specialist teams work together across disciplines, services and institutions. This designation strengthens our ability to continue developing cancer services, advancing research and improving care for patients now and into the future.”

St. Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre brings together the clinical expertise of St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group with the research and academic strength of University College Dublin. The Centre plays a major role in cancer care nationally and continues to develop services that support earlier diagnosis, specialist treatment, research participation and better outcomes for patients.