East Tallinn Central Hospital receives accreditation for integrated oncology and palliative care centre

The European Society for Medical Oncology granted East Tallinn Central Hospital accreditation from 2022-2024 as an integrated centre for oncology and palliative care. This accreditation confirms that the cancer treatment provided at the hospital complies with the highest international standards.

According to Elen Vettus, Head of East Tallinn Central Hospital Centre of Oncology, the accreditation is first and foremost a recognition of the palliative care team as well as all specialists involved in the treatment of oncology patients. “Palliative care is extremely important in the treatment of oncology patients. In addition to systemic and radiation treatment, we have to ensure that our patients have the best quality of life possible and provide them support from a psychologist, a nutritional counsellor and an experience advisor as well as other specialists involved in palliative care. I’m grateful for the entire team and believe this accreditation will further boost the trust our patients have in East Tallinn Central Hospital Centre of Oncology,” says Vettus.

The goal of East Tallinn Central Hospital is to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and make sure their treatment process is as patient-focused and seamless as possible. The hospital wants to provide psychosocial support for oncology patients and their loved ones in addition to specific cancer treatment. A multidisciplinary palliative care team has been established to support patients, comprising oncologists, surgeons, palliative care, wound treatment, urology and stoma care nurses, psychologists, social workers, nutritional consultants, experience advisors, pastoral counsellors, rehabilitation and pain doctors and doctors from the nursing clinic.

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. ESMO aims to provide the best treatment for cancer patients, facilitate integrated cancer treatment, support the professional development of oncologists and promote sustainable cancer treatment all over the world. In 2003, ESMO initiated an accreditation programme for cancer centres or oncology departments offering integrated oncology and palliative care services. The programme now includes more than 240 centres in 52 countries.