The Clínic Barcelona Comprehensive Cancer Centre (4CB) –a joint initiative of Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS and the University of Barcelona– has been accredited by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre, one of the highest European recognitions in oncology.
This accreditation endorses an integrated model of care, research, education and innovation that promotes precision oncology and enables scientific advances to reach patients more quickly and effectively.
A European recognition of an integrated oncology model
The OECI accreditation consolidates 4CB as one of Europe’s reference centres in the comprehensive approach to cancer. This recognition highlights a care model that closely connects clinical practice with biomedical research, innovation and education, with the aim of improving health outcomes and increasingly personalising treatments.
This achievement culminates the transformation launched in 2023 with the creation of the Institute of Cancer and Blood Disorders, led by Dr Aleix Prat, and the deployment of a structure that integrates healthcare professionals, researchers and multidisciplinary teams in a transversal manner.
Personalised care and access to new treatments
Currently, 4CB treats more than 6,500 new cancer patients each year and integrates 15 multidisciplinary units, 3 transversal programmes and 27 translational research groups. In addition, it promotes hundreds of clinical trials, facilitating access to new treatments and increasingly personalised care.
An international evaluation process
The accreditation was obtained following a rigorous international evaluation process that assessed, among other aspects, the quality of care, research capacity, internal organisation and commitment to patient-centred care. This process makes it possible to identify strengths, detect areas for improvement and promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
The director of 4CB, Dr Aleix Prat, highlights that “the OECI accreditation reflects a shared ambition: to accelerate advances against cancer and translate them into real benefits for patients”. Prat adds that “this recognition also strengthens the ambition of the Campus Clínic Barcelona and the future Nou Clínic as one of Europe’s major biomedical research and oncology hubs, capable of attracting talent, innovation and new treatments”.
Towards a more coordinated oncology network across the territory
In the healthcare field, the Chief Clinical Officer of Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Dr Antoni Castells, underlines that “this accreditation should serve to move towards a more coordinated oncology network with hospitals across the territory and to guarantee access to quality care everywhere”.
Castells adds that “the future of 4CB lies in strengthening healthcare, academic and research alliances with hospitals across the territory, moving towards a shared vision with the C-17 network and towards a true Comprehensive Cancer Network”.
Education, research and knowledge transfer
Dr Joan Guàrdia, rector of the University of Barcelona and member of the Governing Board of 4CB, states that “this project demonstrates the strategic value of integrating education, research and care to train professionals and transform knowledge into real impact for society”.
The director of IDIBAPS and member of the Governing Board of 4CB, Dr Susana Puig, highlights that “4CB consolidates a scientific ecosystem with the capacity to generate competitive research and effectively translate it to patients”, and stresses that “it represents a unique opportunity to accelerate knowledge transfer, drive biomedical innovation and consolidate Barcelona as one of Europe’s major cancer research hubs”.
A strategic project for the future
Finally, Dr Josep Maria Campistol, director of Hospital Clínic Barcelona and president of the Governing Board of 4CB, points out that “this accreditation consolidates the positioning of the Campus Clínic and the future Nou Campus de Salut Clínic-UB as one of Europe’s major biomedical research hubs, capable of attracting talent, driving innovation and offering patients access to the best available treatments”.
With this recognition, 4CB joins the European network of oncology centres accredited by the OECI and strengthens the positioning of Barcelona and Catalonia as international benchmarks in oncology, biomedical research and precision medicine.
