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Cancer Services

Cancer services

We provide a comprehensive service to diagnose, treat and support people with cancer, forming part of the UCLH Cancer Collaborative and the East of England Cancer Alliance, enabling the trust to partner a number of key organisations across London and the East of England, as part of the 'Cancer Vanguard'.

Whilst under our care you will have a named consultant in charge of your care and an allocated Key Worker, usually a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) throughout your pathway of care.

The cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are an essential part of the team caring for patients at Williams Day Unit, they will liaise with the patient to ensure the patient is happy with the level of information they receive about their diagnosis and treatments. The cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) plays a vital role in supporting patients and families and provide that vital link for patients and families with the medical teams involved in the cancer patient pathway. Each tumour site has its own team of cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists.

A diagnosis of cancer can be an overwhelming experience often raising numerous questions. To support this, we have a new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre located at the entrance of the Williams Day Unit. The Centre provides support to people at any stage from diagnosis, treatment and beyond. It offers comprehensive information on various types of cancer, offers guidance on welfare benefits, referrals  to support the wellbeing of patient and their families. 

Your cancer pathway support guide, provided by the North Central London Cancer Alliance, is for people who are referred on a suspected cancer pathway, or who have been diagnosed with cancer.

 

Map of Cancer services  

Location

The Princess Alexandra Hospital 
The William's Day Unit
Building 5

 

How to get here

Click here to see how to get to The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.

 

Car parking

Parking is limited at Princess Alexandra Hospital so please leave plenty of time to find a parking bay. Parking is free for cancer patients receiving treatment or attending a clinic consultation at Williams Day Unit. But please make sure you park in a marked parking bay. There is a tablet on the wall outside reception in WDU to add your car details on each visit. Ask at reception for details.

 

Parking ticket appeals and complaints procedure

Appeals department. ParkingEye Ltd, PO Box Blyth, NE24 9EJ

https://portal.parkingeye.co.uk/

Alternatively, payment can be made by telephoning ParkingEye on 03305554444 or www.parkingeye.co.uk or by posting a cheque or postal order to the address above. 

 

Contact details 

Macmillan lead systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) nurse: Mark Edwards

Clinical nurse manager: Sarah Baker

Nurses station: 01279827572

Oncology Outpatient enquiries

01279 827852 / 827854

Chemotherapy appointment enquiries

01279 827397

Outpatients clinic reception: 01279823852

 

Conditions we treat

  • Breast
  • Bladder
  • Colorectal
  • Haemato-oncology
  • Lung
  • Prostate
  • Upper Gastrointestinal (GI)

As well as these, patients are seen in clinic with gynaecological and head and neck cancers but treated at University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust or North Middlesex University Hospital. Chemotherapy Cancer treatment is delivered by a committed team of medical, pharmacy, and nursing staff who are all highly trained specialists in this area. Detailed quality procedures govern the prescribing, production, dispensing, and delivery of the chemotherapy service.

You will be given specific information about your disease, your treatment, the side effects, and what to do if you feel certain side effects. These include a phone number on which you can contact skilled professional staff 24 hours a day to discuss any clinical issues that arise while you're receiving chemotherapy.

Before we can see you in cancer services, you will need a referral from your GP.

 

Treatments we offer

  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Supportive care

People requiring any of these treatments for cancer are treated as a day case within the Williams Day Unit, Building 5. This includes Chemotherapy, Hormone therapy, Immunotherapy, Targeted therapy, and Supportive care. There are some treatments, such as some trial treatments, that are only offered at other hospitals. Your consultant will discuss this with you.

The unit is open from 09.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.

 

What is SACT?

This is Systemic anti-cancer therapy. It includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted therapy.

What kind of cancer treatment is recommended for you will depend on a number of factors. These include:

  • What kind of cancer you have
  • The extent to which the cancer has progressed
  • Other factors revealed in laboratory tests

We tailor your treatment, taking all these factors into account. Before you start SACT, your treatment team will discuss your treatment plan with you face to face, explaining exactly what will be done. This will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

As your treatment progresses, you will always be able to ask your team whatever you need to know.

There are a series of pre-assessment videos explaining how your treatment will be given. Please watch here before attending for treatment as they contain some very useful information.

Specific SACT treatment information

Cancer treatment and drugs A to Z

SACT safety at home

Chemotherapy safety at home

 

 

Useful videos and information

Williams Day Unit patient information leaflet - approved June 2022

One step at a time - a patient perspective on cancer

One step at a time, a cancer diagnosis through the eyes of a family member 

One step at a time, don't let cancer become the small 'c'.

Below are four pre-assessment videos for chemotherapy and immunotherapy at Williams Day Unit, produced by North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust:

The videos are also available to download in the following languages:

Health and wellbeing videos - next steps together

Please take a look at the range of health and wellbeing videos following your cancer treatment. If you have any further questions or feedback about the videos, please contact paht.cancerHWBE@nhs.net

Top tips - health and wellbeing events.

Inpatient comment:

Everyone offered words of such reassurance and kindness. I felt so cared for and the communication with me at all times was fantastic.