🇸🇰 Insights from the CCI4EU Deep Dive visit in Slovakia 🇸🇰

From 17th to 20th of March, our collegue Peggy Richter participated in the second Deep Dive visit in Slovakia, supporting the development of Slovakia’s breast cancer patient pathway. Over three days of intensive workshops in Bratislava and Košice, the team made significant strides in shaping a national, structured and patient-centered approach to breast cancer care:
✅ Mapped the entire optimal breast cancer patient pathway – from diagnosis to survivorship.
✅ Defined key roles, responsibilities, and data points to enhance patient navigation.
✅ Aligned on quality assurance, MDT meetings, data integration, and national implementation strategies.

This is a key step in strengthening Slovakia’s Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructure (CCI). Based on the CCI4EU Maturity Model, the Deep Dive focused on three themes for capacity building: CCI, CCC (Comprehensive Cancer Centre), and patient pathways — all essential for advancing cancer care and research in Slovakia.

According to Peggy, it was truly inspiring to collaborate with such dedicated professionals. Peggy also had the opportunity to apply the Patient Pathway Modelling Tool, which has been implemented by the Research Group Digital health (see below) and repository alongside the CCI4EU Resource Centre — turning strategy into action for Slovakia’s pathway development.

A huge thank you to the incredible Slovakian team for their dedication, outstanding hospitality, and great collaboration! With this level of commitment, we are confident that Slovakia will sustainably achieve its objectives in further developing their cancer care and research infrastructures. 

The Deep Dive support will be continued with monthly online meetings before the next on-site in September 2025 will take place. Let's keep the momentum going!