Excellent Practices

The Christie has developed a dedicated cancer education institute providing multiprofessional learning for staff, students and healthcare professionals in the UK and internationally. Its programmes combine expert clinical education with accessible online and in-person learning, supporting career development, knowledge exchange and the continuous improvement of cancer care.

Leuven Cancer Institute has developed a comprehensive education model that supports healthcare professionals and researchers throughout their careers, from onboarding and specialist training to lifelong learning and talent development. Continuous feedback, structured learning pathways and close links between education, research and clinical practice help keep skills up to date and support the dissemination of new knowledge across the workforce.

Karolinska CCC combines structured specialist training, advanced nursing education and research development to strengthen expertise across oncology. Its close integration between clinical practice and Karolinska Institutet supports continuous professional development, research capacity and innovation in cancer care.

The UITM-CaixaResearch brings together early-phase clinical research, molecular profiling and translational science to accelerate the development of personalised cancer treatments. Its multidisciplinary model connects clinical teams with laboratory researchers and biomarker programmes, supporting innovative clinical trials and the translation of new therapies into patient care.

Trinity St James’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre has strengthened its clinical trials programme through expanded research roles, a revised nursing structure and a strategic review of its trial portfolio. Diversification beyond investigational medicinal product (IMP) studies, streamlined trial start-up and stronger collaboration with academic and industry partners have supported increased research activity and patient enrolment.

Karolinska CCC’s Theranostics Trial Centre brings together nuclear medicine, medical physics, radiopharmacy, oncology and clinical research to support early-phase trials of new radiopharmaceuticals. Its specialised infrastructure enables precise patient selection, imaging, dosimetry and evaluation of targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies.

Vall d’Hebron has implemented a transversal and coordinated palliative care model that supports continuity across inpatient, outpatient and home care settings. Individualised care plans, multidisciplinary assessment and patient and family involvement help address clinical, emotional, social and cultural needs throughout the cancer journey.

The Christie has developed an Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) and Acute Emergency Ambulatory Cancer Care (AACU) model to provide rapid, specialised care for patients with acute cancer complications without unnecessary inpatient admission. The approach combines acute oncology expertise, risk stratification and multidisciplinary care to improve outcomes while reducing pressure on emergency and inpatient services.

The Christie has developed an integrated supportive oncology model combining daily multiprofessional Enhanced Supportive Care clinics with specialist services, multidisciplinary teams, education and research. The approach aims to provide earlier management of disease- and treatment-related problems, reducing symptom burden and unplanned hospital care while improving outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer.

OncoZON promotes prehabilitation as part of the cancer surgery pathway, combining supervised exercise, nutritional support, mental support and patient education, lifestyle interventions, and correction of iron deficiency. The Fit4Surgery approach aims to improve patients’ resilience before major oncological surgery, supporting recovery and reducing postoperative complications and hospital stay.

At Kortrijk Cancer Centre, specialised oncology nurses provide continuity throughout the patient journey, acting as a consistent point of contact for patients and families. Their tumour-specific expertise and coordination role help reduce fragmentation, support shared decision-making and ensure timely access to information and supportive care.

Kortrijk Cancer Centre’s Onco@home model shifts selected steps of ambulatory cancer care from the hospital to the patient’s home. Home-based assessment and treatment administration reduce hospital visits and waiting times while maintaining coordinated, patient-centred care.

IPO Lisboa’s DUROS consultation provides long-term, risk-adapted follow-up for survivors of childhood cancer, helping identify late treatment effects and support quality of life. A multidisciplinary team combines clinical surveillance with psychological, social and educational support, currently caring for around 1,100 survivors.

IPO Coimbra established a dedicated Diabetes Unit within its Endocrinology Department to support cancer patients throughout treatment and hospital care. Specialised protocols, early endocrinology input and patient education help provide safer and more consistent management of treatment-related diabetes and dysglycaemia.

Institut du cancer Paris CARPEM uses games, simulation and immersive learning to strengthen the skills of paramedical professionals. The annual programme promotes active learning, patient safety and collaboration across professional groups, with training tools that can also be used directly within clinical units.

Clínica Universidad de Navarra has embedded specialised oncology nursing education into the professional pathway, from postgraduate training to continuous development and competency assessment. The structured framework supports consistent clinical practice, patient safety and the skills needed to keep pace with advances in cancer treatment.

OncoZON’s weekly Molecular Tumor Board connects regional hospitals with experts in molecular biology, pathology and oncology to discuss complex genomic findings. The multidisciplinary forum supports personalised treatment decisions and helps identify relevant clinical trials and expanded-access options.

OncoZON introduced a network-wide 48-hour breast cancer diagnostic pathway, giving patients rapid clarity on whether an abnormality is benign or malignant. Standardised diagnostics, patient information and result communication help ensure a consistent and more patient-centred experience across the region.

The Christie has developed specialist pathways for the early detection of breast and anal cancer in high-risk populations. From the national BARD programme to therapeutic high-resolution anoscopy, these approaches support earlier diagnosis and access to targeted screening and treatment.

OncoZON’s Tumour Working Groups bring multidisciplinary professionals from across the network together to align cancer care and reduce unwarranted variation. Shared care pathways, regional benchmarking and systematic review of quality indicators support consistent standards and targeted improvements across participating hospitals.

OncoZON introduced a regional online multidisciplinary team for all patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer, connecting local hospitals with an expert centre. The model has reduced variation in access to specialist expertise and treatment, supporting more equitable care and improved outcomes across the network.

At Karolinska CCC, My Care Plan and the Contact Nurse role work together to provide patients with a clear, personalised cancer pathway and a consistent point of contact. The approach supports continuity, shared decision-making and more person-centred care throughout treatment and rehabilitation.

Vall d’Hebron uses complementary channels to involve patients in cancer care, from public educational talks to structured working groups and co-creation workshops. Their input is directly used to shape patient pathways and survivorship resources, making patient involvement part of service development.

The Christie has built a comprehensive approach to patient involvement and support across the cancer journey. Patient voices are embedded in care, governance and research, alongside information, supportive oncology services and partnerships that help patients access the support they need.

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek – Netherlands Cancer Institute developed Anne, a 24/7 service-oriented chatbot that helps patients and visitors find reliable information and navigate cancer care. With live chat support when needed, Anne combines accessible digital guidance with a human-centred approach.

Vall d’Hebron has integrated quality management, clinical leadership and patient engagement into a value-based model for person-centred cancer care. Its 35 integrated knowledge areas and data-driven quality approach help reduce fragmentation, strengthen continuity and support continuous improvement.

Rijnstate Cancer Centre uses tailored dashboards to bring clinical outcomes, patient-reported data and financial information together for value-based cancer care. The data supports shared decision-making at both team and patient level and helps tumour groups identify and act on opportunities for improvement.

Leuven Cancer Institute is embedding a sustainable quality culture into daily practice through shared responsibility, continuous learning and patient involvement. Its integrated quality management system, including the developing Qubuz platform, brings quality information and improvement activities together across the organisation.

OncoZON brings ten autonomous institutions together through a single collaboration agreement that defines shared responsibilities, decision-making and accountability. The framework supports alignment across care, research and education while preserving the autonomy of each participating organisation.

Leuven Cancer Institute has developed a multi-layered governance model connecting hospital and university leadership with research, care and education. Clear roles, transparent communication and consensus-based decision-making help strengthen cross-departmental collaboration and reduce fragmentation.

HSE West North West established a single governance framework for cancer services across the region, bringing clinical leadership, quality, research and education together. The hub-and-spoke model supports consistent standards and performance monitoring while enabling patients to receive appropriate care closer to home.

The ICO-HUB brings together two public institutions, a research institute and a university under a joint governance model. Three complementary levels of governance support coordinated decision-making and an integrated approach to oncology care, research and education.