Ontario Health

Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) – an Ontario government agency – drives quality and continuous improvement in disease prevention and screening, the delivery of care and the patient experience, for cancer, chronic kidney disease, as well as access to care for key health services. Known for its innovation and results-driven approaches, CCO leads multi-year system planning, contracts for services with hospitals and providers, develops and deploys information systems, establishes guidelines and standards, and tracks performance targets to ensure system-wide improvements in cancer, chronic kidney disease – through the Ontario Renal Network – and access to care. As the government’s cancer advisor, CCO: • Directs and oversees more than $800 million in funding for hospitals and other cancer-care providers, enabling them to deliver high quality, timely cancer services and improved access to care • Implements provincial cancer prevention and screening programs • Works with cancer-care professionals and organizations to develop and implement quality improvements and standards • Uses electronic information and technology to support health professionals and patient self-care, and to continually improve the safety, quality, efficiency, accessibility and accountability of Ontario’s cancer services • Plans cancer services to meet current and future patient needs • Conducts and rapidly transfers its own and external new research into improvements and innovations in clinical practice and cancer service delivery. While CCO’s public identity is tied directly to the fight against cancer, the organization also established and now houses the new Ontario Renal Network and the Ontario government’s Access to Care program, which supports the Ontario government Wait Times Strategy. Through the Ontario Renal Network, CCO organizes and manages chronic kidney disease services throughout the province. Access to Care works to ensure that Ontarians receive the healthcare they need, when and where they need it. CCO became UICC full member in 1972.