Stefan Schwartze MdB, Federal Government Commissioner for Patients' Affairs, visited Heidelberg on Wednesday, 18 September 2024, the third day of his autumn tour. The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and the Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) were on his tour schedule. In the days before, he had visited the post-COVID outpatient clinic at the Giessen/Marburg University Hospital and the Mainz Centre for Outpatient Hospice and Palliative Care.
The visit began with a brief tour of the NCT Heidelberg. Dirk Jäger, Medical Director of the Clinic for Medical Oncology and Managing Director of the NCT Heidelberg, showed Stefan Schwartze around the building.
Dirk Jäger then presented brief information about the NCT Heidelberg, which highlighted its position as a leading centre for cancer research and treatment in Germany. The interdisciplinary approach, which combines research and patient care, is a central component of the work of the NCT Heidelberg.
An important point on the programme was the discussion on patient participation, in which several representatives of the NCT Heidelberg took part. Anne Müller, self-help representative, Cindy Körner from the Patient Research Council, Imke Veit-Schirmer from the Patient Advisory Board and Monika Huber, who coordinates the Patient Research Council, explained the advantages of involving patients in the research process. Participation promotes dialogue and helps to ensure that the needs of those affected are better incorporated into clinical research.
Stefan Fröhling, Managing Director of the NCT Heidelberg and Head of the Division of Translational Medical Oncology at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), presented new approaches for molecular precision oncology in rare cancers. Through collaboration with other institutions and innovative research approaches, new therapeutic options are being developed that specifically target these patient groups.
Carsten Müller-Tidow, Medical Director of the Department of Haematology, Oncology and Rheumatology at the UKHD, discussed the security of supply in connection with gene and cell therapies in his lecture. These innovative therapeutic approaches offer new perspectives for the treatment of cancer patients, especially in the area of rare diseases.
Eva Winkler, Managing Director of the NCT Heidelberg and Head of Translational Medical Ethics, presented the accompanying research on patient participation. This research investigates the effects of patient participation on the quality of clinical research and therapy.
Another focus of the programme was patient safety, which was explained in more detail by Markus Weigand, Deputy Medical Director of the UKHD and Medical Director of the Department of Anaesthesiology. The importance of safety measures in everyday clinical practice was emphasised here in order to ensure the best possible care for patients.
After the NCT Heidelberg, Stefan Schwartze visited the Clinic for Palliative Medicine at the UKHD. Here, Bernd Alt-Epping, Medical Director of the Clinic for Palliative Medicine, explained in particular the palliative care of cancer patients. The focus here is on alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life, especially in advanced stages of the disease.
The fact that the Federal Commissioner for Patients chose the NCT Heidelberg for his autumn tour is a sign of the centre's importance in cancer research and treatment. Through the interdisciplinary collaboration of researchers, clinicians and patient representatives, the NCT Heidelberg contributes significantly to improving patient care and developing innovative therapies. In particular, active patient participation and research into rare cancers are forward-looking approaches that will have a lasting impact on oncology.
Pictures:
1 Welcome at the NCT Heidelberg by Dirk Jäger and Markus Weigand
2/3 Tour of the NCT Heidelberg
4 Lecture by Carsten Müller-Tidow on the reliability of gene and cell therapies