Submitting deadline: 15th April 2013

Applications will remain anonymous during the review process undertaken by the Palliative Care Working Group. Any oncology department or cancer center can apply. Size is not important; to be eligible what matters are the quality and the extent of the integration of services.

 The criteria for accreditation, based on recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the provision of palliative care for patients with cancer, have been recently revised to make the process of application easier and clearer than ever before.The criteria reflect the issues of integration (items 1-2), credentialing (Items 3-4), service provision (items 5-11), research (item 12) and education (item 13). The complete list is included in the application form.

The Centers receiving the certification will be entitled:

• to use the subtitle, 'ESMO Designated Center in the Integration of Oncology and Palliative Care'
• to use the ESMO logo in accordance to the ESMO Logo Policy (marketing/advertising related to the Center itself. No advertising of specific events)
• to be eligible to receive fellows in palliative medicine supported by ESMO grants
  
  

The main objectives of the program are:

• promoting the integration of palliative care services into the existing national cancer care guidelines
• encouraging palliative care education and training for medical oncologists as well as other healthcare professionals
• expanding the cooperation between ESMO and other existing professional medical associations and organizations worldwide in supporting and sustaining palliative care development