St. Vincent’s University Hospital named Europe’s top-performing Centre for Rare Lung Disease
28th February 2025
Professor Cormac McCarthy, Associate Professor and Consultant Respiratory Physician at SVUH and members of his team proudly unveil the plaque marking their designation as a European Reference Network (ERN) Centre of Expertise for Rare and Complex Diseases. This recognition highlights their commitment to providing specialised care, advancing research, and improving outcomes for patients with rare diseases. The team continues to lead the way in collaborative efforts to enhance patient care and innovation in the field.
St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) has been awarded an Excellent rating in the prestigious ERN-LUNG Member Activity Performance Tool (LUNG-MAP) survey, solidifying its position as a leader in rare and complex lung disease care across Europe. As an expert centre for rare lung disease, SVUH has been recognised as one of the leading and highest-performing centres in Europe, rated Excellent by the European Reference Network. SVUH is proud to share this recognition on Rare Disease Day, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness and improving outcomes for people living with rare conditions. This announcement underscores the hospital’s dedication to delivering world-class care for patients with rare lung diseases, ensuring they benefit from cutting-edge treatment and international collaboration.
The European Reference Network for Rare Respiratory Diseases (ERN-LUNG), made up of 88 centres across Europe, assessed healthcare providers across seven key categories, including Network Activities, Academy, CPMS (Clinical Patient Management System), Registry, Publications, Clinical Trial Network (CTN), and Patient-Related Outcomes (PRO). In health centres all over Europe, SVUH emerged as the top-performing hospital, excelling in all seven categories—a testament to its commitment to clinical excellence, research, and patient-centred care.
Professor Michael Keane, Interim CEO of St. Vincent’s University Hospital, welcomed the recognition, said: “This achievement highlights the dedication of our multidisciplinary teams who work tirelessly to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with rare and complex lung diseases. As an integral part of ERN-LUNG, SVUH is ensuring that Irish patients benefit from the highest standard of specialised care, supported by cutting-edge research and international collaboration.”
The European Reference Networks (ERNs) are a flagship initiative of the European Union, designed to connect the best medical expertise across Europe and ensure that knowledge travels to the patient, rather than the other way around. With over 6,000 rare diseases affecting up to 36 million people in the EU, ERNs play a critical role in improving access to high-quality care, accelerating diagnosis, and enabling cross-border consultations between medical experts.
Professor Cormac McCarthy, Associate Professor and Consultant Respiratory Physician at SVUH, highlighted the significance of this achievement: “SVUH’s recognition as the highest-performing centre in ERN-LUNG underscores our dedication to rare lung disease research and care. This distinction means that Irish patients are receiving some of the best rare disease treatment in Europe, right here at home. Our participation in ERN-LUNG enables us to engage in pioneering research, access international expertise, and shape the future of rare lung disease treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for our patients.”
SVUH’s participation in ERN-LUNG allows the hospital to access a secure IT platform where complex patient cases can be discussed by expert panels across Europe. This facilitates faster, more accurate diagnoses and ensures patients receive the most advanced treatments available, without the need to travel abroad.
The hospital’s commitment to rare disease care aligns with the broader national and European strategy to integrate ERNs into healthcare systems, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with rare and complex conditions. SVUH collaborates closely with Mater and Beaumont hospitals in Dublin, further strengthening Ireland’s position in rare disease expertise and care.
As Rare Disease Day 2025 shines a light on the millions of people living with rare diseases, SVUH’s recognition as a centre of excellence serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration, innovation, and patient-centred care in transforming lives.
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For further information or to arrange an interview with Prof Cormac McCarthy, Associate Professor and Consultant Respiratory Physician at SVUH, please contact:
Jennie Cotter | Corporate Communications Manager at SVUH | 086 776 1890
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