William Osler Health System (Osler) was very proud to be re-accredited as a European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Designated Centre of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care this past November. The only community hospital in Canada with this designation, Osler was initially accredited by ESMO in 2019 and is one of only three centres in Canada with this designation, along with Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Program.
Introduced in 2003, the ESMO Designated Centres Accreditation Programme recognizes cancer centres that provide highly integrated oncology and palliative care services, with the objective of improving research, education and clinical practice by establishing standards for service development. There are currently more than 250 institutes from 54 countries worldwide that meet this designation. The centres need to fulfill 13 criteria, based on recommendations from the World Health Organization guidelines on the provision of palliative care for patients with cancer.
Located primarily at Brampton Civic Hospital, Osler's Oncology and Palliative Care Programs provide exceptional cancer care to residents in Brampton, north Etobicoke and surrounding areas. “Our program serves a diverse community and provides high-quality cancer care including prevention and throughout the trajectory of the disease, from assessment, treatment, support, follow-up, to the early identification and treatment of the supportive and palliative care needs of patients and their families," said Dr. Parneet Cheema, Medical Director of Cancer Care and Head of Cancer Research, William Osler Health System. "Our goal is to not only treat the cancer, but care for the overall wellbeing of patients and their families," added Dr. Cheema.
“We're very proud of our fully integrated Supportive and Palliative Care Team, as they work collaboratively with other inter-professional teams in both inpatient and outpatient settings, to assist patients and their families both in hospital and in the community," said Dr. Martin Chasen, Medical Director of Palliative Care, William Osler Health System. “Osler's care team provides integrated, holistic care – through our collaborative approach, we are dedicated to providing world-class care and support for all patients and their families, and we are proud of this renewed designation that acknowledges our efforts," he added.
For more information about ESMO and Oncology and Palliative Care at Osler, please visit: