About Sahlgrenska Comprehensive Cancer Centre

One of the foundations is patient participation. Each patient must be well acquainted with their care and, based on their needs and experiences, be able to participate in decision-making concerning their own care. Another foundation is transparency, that all data that is not confidential must be available to the public.

Central to Sahlgrenska Comprehensive Cancer Centre is also a a strategy of constant development, that addresses not only the care staff but also looks at the patients’ and their relatives’ need for information and education.

SCCC's cornerstones

Sahlgrenska Comprehensive Cancer Centre's work is based on the strategic plan taken in March 2021. The plan is based on SCCC's vision and on Sahlgrenska University Hospital's overall vision and values.

The strategic plan is in line with the European Code of Cancer Practice ECCP and is a forward-looking plan with the aim of realizing the Swedish national cancer strategy from 2009; A national cancer strategy for the future 2009: 11.

SCCC's vision: World-leading care and research for and with the patient

The vision was developed through open forums with employees in the care professions at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, academic researchers and patient representatives.

Sahlgrenska University Hospital's vision: Sahlgrenska University Hospital - healthcare, research, development and education with the highest quality

Sahlgrenska University Hospital's values: Together - for the patient - with the patient

The values ​​mean that everything we do is based on the patient. Based on the patient's needs and experience and with the employees' knowledge and professional skills, we together create care of the highest quality.

Sahlgrenska University Hospital's mission and vision (Swedish)

European code of cancer Practice ECCP

A national cancer strategy for the future 2009: 11 (Swedish with English summary)

Organisation

Sahlgrenska Comprehensive Cancer Centre's organization is based on the hospital's existing structure, with departments organised in six areas.

All departments related to cancer care are gathered in SCC's management council.

There are also representatives from SCCC's research council and co-opted representatives from Regional Cancer Center West. Patients are represented in a patient council that is convened 1-2 times every six months by the chairman of the management council.

The management council functions as a preparatory body, which raises proposals to the hospital's management team, SULG, where decisions are made.

The management council, with associated working committees, belongs organizationally to area 5, where the main part of the hospital's cancer care is located. The Area Manager for Area 5 is therefore chairing the Council.

The SCCC's Research Council consists of members selected from Sahlgrenska Academy and Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Two members of the Research Council sit on the management council and are also represented on the working committee.

The road to a Comprehensive cancer centre

As part of efforts to ensure the quality of cancer care and become one of Europe's leading cancer hospitals, Sahlgrenska University Hospital has been working since 2019 to become an accredited Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC).

The work takes place in collaboration with Sahlgrenska Academy and the Regional Cancer Center West.

During the autumn of 2020, an extensive qualitative and quantitative self-evaluation of activities linked to cancer care was carried out. On April 1, the material was submitted to the organization responsible for accreditation, OECI (Organization European Cancer Institute).

On June 7-9, the Sahlgrenska Cancer Center received representatives from the OECI for a so-called audit, which had to take place digitally due to the pandemic. It was three days of screenings, tough questions and interviews to see if SCC meets all the criteria set by the organization for an accreditation.

The results show that the basic infrastructure is in place and the quality of research, care, premises and staff competence is high. The delegation pointed in particular to the great commitment that exists among the employees, at all levels in the organization.

But even though Sahlgrenska University Hospital has both a long and well-deserved history in the field of cancer, the coordination of the activities in a cancer center is not older than one year, a year that has also been marked by the global pandemic. This means that the auditors from the OECI see further development opportunities which they recommend SCC to review before the next audit, the physical visit that precedes a final decision.