Both leading institutes focus on the quality of care and on scientific research, education and training. “I am delighted that we are intensifying and broadening our collaboration with Amsterdam UMC Cancer Center Amsterdam, enabling us to take care, research, training and education for patients with cancer in our region and beyond to an even higher level. This gives patients faster access to the latest innovative treatments and scientific studies,” says Jacqueline Stouthard. “The number of people with cancer in the Netherlands continues to rise sharply. We are responding to this growing demand for care by bringing specialists together and looking at concentration of care,” Kramer adds. The hospitals are already working together in the field of gynaecology and urology. Through this and future collaborations, the two parties can continue to improve patient care now and in the future.
Regional network
The institutes each have an extensive regional network and complement each other well. “Modern cancer care for everyone can only be provided through real collaboration between professionals. Amsterdam UMC and AVL are joining forces to build a comprehensive network together with regional partners to eliminate inequality for all cancer patients in the Northwest region of the Netherlands,” says Kramer. In the field of prostate cancer, the two hospitals already collaborate through the Dutch Prostate Cancer Network. “A multidisciplinary treatment team from different hospitals examines the treatment of the patient with prostate cancer. That
collaboration is a foundation on which we can further expand on to build a better future. We also will look at extending collaborations with other hospitals outside this region,” says Stouthard. For the patient, the declaration of intent for more intensive cooperation means that they can count on the best oncological care now and in the future.
Research
Cancer care cannot function without research, training and education. Both Amsterdam UMC and the Netherlands Cancer Institute conduct high-quality cancer research. The intensive collaboration is expected to accelerate scientific research into cancer, hopefully resulting in new treatments becoming available to cancer patients sooner.
Historic moment
Both institutes regard the signing of the declaration of intent as a historic moment. The signing took place in Panorama Amsterdam, in the Amsterdam Museum. In addition to board members, care providers and scientists, the Dutch Federation of Cancer Patient Organizations, and the Dutch Cancer Society were also present.
