Hospital del Mar designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
Advancing Towards Excellence in Comprehensive Cancer Care
Advancing towards excellence in comprehensive cancer care. Hospital del Mar is working to obtain certification as a member of the European Union Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (EUnet Comprehensive Cancer Center, EUnetCCC). Previously, Hospital del Mar, Hospital del mar Research Institute, UPF and Institut Bonanova were designated as an EUnetCCC centre, a recognition that supports the path towards certification and promotes excellence in cancer care, research and education across Europe.
1 EUnetCCC HMar
In 2021, the European Union defined the roadmap to deploy the European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers (EUnetCCC). This plan forecasts the designation of the first pilot centers in 2025, a first wave of certified centers in 2028, and, from 2030 onwards, ensuring that 90% of cancer patients have access to this model of excellence in care.
In this context, in March 2025, the Ministry of Health and the Departament de Salut designated Hospital del Mar as one of the EUnetCCC pilot centers. After successfully passing an initial self-assessment phase, the center continues to work towards advancing the certification process and consolidating a comprehensive, innovative, and patient-centered oncological care model.
The model is built upon three interconnected strategic pillars.
2 EUnetCCC HMar
In 2021, the European Union defined the roadmap to deploy the European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers (EUnetCCC). This plan forecasts the designation of the first pilot centers in 2025, a first wave of certified centers in 2028, and, from 2030 onwards, ensuring that 90% of cancer patients have access to this model of excellence in care.
In this context, in March 2025, the Ministry of Health and the Departament de Salut designated Hospital del Mar as one of the EUnetCCC pilot centers. After successfully passing an initial self-assessment phase, the center continues to work towards advancing the certification process and consolidating a comprehensive, innovative, and patient-centered oncological care model.
The model is built upon three interconnected strategic pillars.
3 Work Structure
The organization is based on 322 standards, grouped into 7 essential domains, which will be evaluated during the certification process:
-
Governance
-
Care / Assistance
-
Research
-
Integration of Research and Care
-
Innovation
-
Prevention
-
Education and Training
4 The Model
-
Value the existing comprehensive model: Recognize and consolidate the comprehensive cancer care model already offered by our institution, reinforcing its strengths and aligning it with European standards of excellence.
-
Advance towards more coordinated and multidisciplinary care: Drive the necessary improvements linked to the EUnetCCC certification standards to offer an even more integrated, coordinated, and patient-centered care.
-
Be part of a leading European network: Integrate into a European Union network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers, which facilitates the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices among professionals and institutions.
-
Accelerate diagnostic and therapeutic innovation: Foster a better translation of research into clinical practice and ensure greater continuity of care across prevention, diagnosis, treatment, support, and follow-up.
-
Reinforce the entire oncology value chain: Strengthen all areas involved in cancer care in a coordinated manner: from governance and prevention to clinical care and research.
-
Promote innovation and training in cancer: Foster an environment that drives continuous innovation and professional development to address current and future challenges in oncology.