Maastricht UMC+ Comprehensive Cancer Center re-accredited by OECI with Research Excellence designation

Maastricht UMC+ Comprehensive Cancer Center has once again been accredited by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) with the ‘Research Excellence’ designation, confirming the high quality of our cancer care.

The OECI is Europe’s leading organisation for assessing and monitoring whether cancer care institutions meet high internationally established quality standards in care, education and research. OECI accreditation therefore demonstrates that our cancer care and cancer research meet high European quality standards. The assessment covers the full scope of a cancer centre: from diagnostics and treatment to research, education and the organisation of care.

For us, the connection between these areas is key. Our healthcare professionals and researchers work closely together to translate scientific insights into clinical practice as quickly as possible. At the same time, questions and experiences arising from patient care provide an important foundation for new research. Our shared aim is to further improve cancer diagnostics and treatment and to contribute to a better quality of life for people living with or after cancer.

Recognition for research

The Research Excellence designation highlights the importance of research that is closely connected to clinical practice and can ultimately make a meaningful difference for patients. At the same time, we see this recognition as an incentive to continue building on our achievements. We will continue to invest in the connection between care and science, in innovation, and in collaboration both within and beyond the hospital. In doing so, we are working towards new knowledge and better opportunities for prevention, diagnostics, treatment and support.

This re-accreditation also confirms the important role of Maastricht UMC+ as a Comprehensive Cancer Center within OncoZON. The presence of a Comprehensive Cancer Center is an essential requirement for the OECI network accreditation that OncoZON achieved in 2024 as the first oncology network to do so. As a CCC, together with our OncoZON partners, we therefore also provide excellent cancer care beyond the walls of our hospital, for patients throughout the region.

This is how we see it: the re-accreditation is the result of the combined efforts of many professionals across our hospital. Every day, through patient care, research, education and support, they contribute to the quality recognised by this European accreditation. We therefore see this as both a special recognition and an encouragement to continue improving cancer care and cancer research.