The Rapid Diagnostic Centre (RDC) is a referral pathway to promote faster diagnosis for patients with vague symptoms or signs suggestive of cancer.

GPs can refer you to the RDC if they suspect you have possible symptoms of cancer that require further investigation by a specialist team in hospital. This allows the issue to be investigated at an early stage, and if needed, the patient can be treated quickly and effectively.

You can read more about the RDC in our news story.

Key telephone numbers

You can contact a member of the dedicated team on:

0208 970 5748 (Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm)

More information

Download our RDC patient information leaflet to find out more:

RDC Patient Information Leaflet Version 1.5 June 2022.docx 309KB

Find out what it means to our patients and their loved ones to attend one of our Health and Wellbeing events in this short film starring some of the participants from a variety of our events.

What types of activities are available in our service?

• EMPOWER – a health and wellbeing event when you are diagnosed with cancer
• HOPE (Help overcoming problems effectively) – a six week course following treatment to help build resilience and find your inner strengths
• HOPE (Time and space) – a workshop for friends and family to take time to talk about coping when a loved one has cancer
• Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) pampering sessions - attending a LGFB provides a real source of support, bringing together groups of women in a relaxing and light hearted environment. With the help and encouragement of LGFBbeauty consultants, the free two hour session involves you being taken through a specially designed ten step skincare and make up regime
• Macmillan workshops which include relaxation and visualisation, art therapy and creative writing
• Complementary therapy service which offers reflexology, aromatherapy, indian head massage and light massage for our cancer patients and their carers for patients under the care of an oncology/haematology consultant
• Psychological support service  which offers individual counselling sessions. Please speak to your healthcare professional if you require a referral. 

Key Telephone Numbers

To book onto one of our group sessions contact Living with and Beyond Cancer Team – 01708 435 174. 

To book complementary therapies contact – 01708 504 208 or email bhrut.cancercomptherapyteam@nhs.net.

To arrange to see our Welfare Benefits Advisor contact – 01708 435 174.

Location

Haematology/Oncology outpatients
Orange Zone
Ground floor
Queen’s Hospital

Key Staff

• Living with and Beyond Cancer Lead: Lucy Brooks.
• Macmillan Information and Support Manager: Alix Holmes.
• Macmillan Data Coordinator: Jane Makin.
• Complementary Therapist: Pragna Magudia.
• Complementary Therapist: Wahida Sheikh
• Welfare advisor: Ray Wood
• Macmillan Support Worker: Daphne Birmingham
• Complementary Therapy Co-Ordinator: Julie Campbell

The Sunflower Suite is a haematology and oncology day centre that is open from 09.00 and 19.00 Monday to Fridays. It is a large and welcoming room with six beds, 30 comfortable chairs as well as an isolation room with en-suite facilities.

It encompasses a dedicated seating area for teenagers and young adults, two consultation/treatment rooms and a designated intrathecal chemotherapy room. Our service is supported by voluntary staff who provide light refreshments for our patients. There are also five televisions in the centre to provide entertainment.

Key telephone numbers

The chemotherapy emergency line, a 24-hour triage line for patients receiving chemotherapy 01708 435 000 ext 6485

Reception: 01708 435000 ext 3070

Cancel/change an appointment: 01708 435 285

What types of treatment are available in our service?

• Chemotherapy and immunotherapy
• Blood transfusions and products
• Bone Marrow Procedure
• Apheresis
• Venesections
• Bisphonates
• Insertion of Central Lines
• Maintenance of Central Lines
• Admission avoidance procedures
• Acute Oncology Service reviews by appointment

Preparing for your appointment

This is dependent on what you are attending for. You will be advised by the booking clerk/healthcare professional who contacts you with the appointment. They will advise if you are required to do anything specific before attending, for example blood tests, restrictions of medications or food.

Clinic location

Sunflower Suite
Orange Zone
Ground Floor
Queen’s Hospital
Romford

Key staff

Our Matron is Madeleine Glover 

Our Lead nurse for Sunflower and Oncology Outpatients is Jodi Brooking

Our Senior Sisters are Yagmur Kocak and Mary Horsely

Other relevant information

Also available on site is a Macmillan cancer information centre that offers a drop in service Monday to Friday 09.00 to 17.00 for confidential information, written information, finance and welfare advice, wig ordering service, sign posting onto other support services.

Our complementary therapies service also offer reflexology, aromatherapy, indian head massage and light massage for our cancer patients and their carers.

A diagnosis of cancer and the treatment that follows can affect how you and those close to you feel and cope. Our service is open to those affected by a diagnosis of cancer, whether you are the patient, family member, partner, carer or relative and are having treatment in our hospitals.

As a team, we understand that cancer can affect not just the body but the whole person. We offer a space to talk about the worries and concerns you may have about your diagnosis and treatment. This can often help to relieve some of the painful feelings and distress in order for you to find improved ways of coping. 

You can be seen on your own, as a couple or as a family.

Key telephone numbers

Reception: 01708 435 360

What types of treatment are available?

We offer one to one sessions or group work, whatever is best suited to your needs.

Preparing for your appointment

Clinic locations

Queen’s Hospital, Romford

• Appointments are available Monday to Friday

King George Hospital, Ilford

• Appointments are available Tuesday and Thursday

Key staff

Dr Marc Kingsley, Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Sylvia Puchalska, Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Rajindar Sahota-Dhillon, Specialist Psychologist

Referrals

This service is only available for patients under the care of an oncologist or haematologist based at our hospitals.

Other information

These are some of the issues we can help with

• Dealing with a diagnosis of cancer
• Learning to live with cancer
• Survivorship: psychological factors related to life after cancer remission
• Coping with cancer related treatment and it’s effects
• Depression
• Coping with anger
• Anxiety and panics attacks
• Relationships and sexual problems
• Coping with adjustment, change and uncertainty
• Body Image concerns
• Caring for someone with cancer
• Coping with bereavement and loss

You can ask your consultant, clinical nurse specialist, radiographer, chemotherapy nurse, clinic nurse, Macmillan cancer information manager or any of the team looking after you to refer you.

When we receive the referral, someone from the team will contact you and offer a first appointment.

During this first appointment, you will be able to talk about your difficulties and concerns. You will also be able to discuss and decide together whether further appointments might be helpful or what might be the best way forward for you.

The number of appointments offered will depend on your needs this could be anything from one appointment to ongoing support during and or after your treatment.

 

 

We offer a selection of complementary therapies to our patients with cancer and their carers under the care of our Oncology or Haematology consultants. Our clinic is located in the Oncology and Haematology Outpatient department.

Therapies offered include:

• Therapeutic massage/massage for cancer care

This is a holistic therapy that is adapted and specific to your needs. It invovles a gentle slow massage focusing on areas of tension and the lymphatic system to help blood and oxygen flow. Pure organic oils are used combined with gentle touch to chosen areas.

• Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of specifically chosen essential oils to suit you, and a subtle blend is prepared to enhance your treatment. These blends can be combined with any touch therapy, used in inhaler sticks, or Aromapatches, which are known to calm the mind and enhance wellbeing. Our therapists work with you to create the perfect blend for your needs.

• Reflexology

Reflexology is a treatment performed mainly on the feet. A light touch is used, and reflex points are worked gently in a sequence to aid relaxation and improved wellbeing. Reflexology can improve mood, relieve tension, reduce pain and nausea, and improve sleep.

• Indian head massage

Indian head massage is a treatment that is performed on the head and scalp, and involves gentle pressure with slow movements on the head and continued down the neck to the shoulders.

This is a calming and relaxing treatment which helps to release the pressure felt from tension, improving concentration, sleep, and easing headaches.

• Bach flower remedies

Bach flower remedies are a system of 38 essences, which capture the positive potential of the plants they’re created from, which Dr Bach believed offered a holistic approach to achieving emotional balance.

The 38 flower essences Bach discovered are made from a variety of wild plants, trees and bushes. Each one relates to a specific emotion that we all experience from time to time.

Key telephone numbers

Advice line: 01708 504 208

Reception: 01708 504208 or email: bhrut.cancercomptherapyteam@nhs.net

Cancel/change an appointment: 01708 504208 or email bhrut.cancercomptherapyteam@nhs.net

Preparing for your appointment

Eat and drink as normal and continue with prescribed medication.

Clinic locations

Georgia Cordery Therapy Room
Haematology and Oncology Outpatient department
Orange Zone
Ground Floor
Queen's Hospital

Appointments are available Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm.

Key staff

• Julie Campbell, Lead Therapist/Service Co-ordinator
• Pragna Magudia, Complementary Therapist
• Rose Mcleod, Complementary Therapist

Frequently asked questions

Is there a charge?

We ask for a minimal donation of £5.00, if possible, to cover costs and to continue the service.

Am I restricted to a certain number of treatments?

We offer six treatments and then review and assess the need for any more. Therapy can be stopped at any time if the patient wishes.

Will it affect my cancer?

All treatments are not in any way a method of tumour reduction. The therapies help reduce side effects of treatment and help with relaxation and sleeping.

Key telephone numbers

• Advice line: 01708 503191
• Reception: 01708 435000 ext 3070
• Cancelling or changing your appointment: 0208 9708182

Key staff

• Our Senior Staff Nurse is Shirley Ambat
• Our Lead nurse for Sunflower and Oncology Outpatients is Jodi Brooking 
• Our Matron is Madeleine Glover 

What types of treatments are available?

• Sub-cutaneous Hercptin Clinic
• Sub-cutaneous Velcade Clinic
• Radiotherapy Ad Hoc Dressing Clinic -
• Other supportive interventions for our haematology and oncology patients

Preparing for your appointment

There is usually no specific preparation you need to do before you attend your outpatient appointment. 

When booking for a Hercptin or Velcade Clinic, our nursing team or appointments team will advise you of any specific preparation requirements.

Clinic location

Ground Floor
Queen's Hosptial
Rom Valley Way
Romford
Essex
RM7 0AG

Support

Hand2Hold patient facing advice leaflet, produced by Clic Sargent and Teenage Cancer Trust

When you are affected by cancer, getting the right kind of information and support, at the right time, is essential.

Our Macmillan Cancer Information and Support team at Queen’s Hospital provides a confidential drop-in service for anyone affected by cancer.

We can help people who:

• require information about cancer
• have a cancer diagnosis
• have survived cancer
• are living with the consequences of a cancer diagnosis
• are looking to reduce the risks of cancer
• are a carer, relative, or friend of someone with cancer
• are healthcare professionals

Key telephone numbers

Advice line or to cancel/change your appointment: 01708 435 174

What types of treatment are available in our service?

We offer:

• links to the clinical teams treating certain cancers
• links to local and national support services
• signposting to self help and support groups
• complementary therapy services
• counselling support
• wig and headwear advice
• liaison with other voluntary and statutory agencies
• free and confidential welfare, benefits and debt advice
• free literature on all aspects of living with cancer
• opportunities to discuss treatments, side effects and other cancer issues
• opportunity to talk to someone confidentially
• over the phone support for those not able to visit in personHealth and wellbeing events for you post treatment

Clinic locations

Haematology and Oncology outpatient department

Orange Zone
Ground floor
Queen's Hospital
Rom Valley Way
Romford
RM7 0AG

We are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Key staff

Our Macmiilan Cancer information officer is Alix Holmes.

We have a number or trained Macmillan volunteers who support our service.

Referrals and other information

You can contact us by telephone: 01708 435 174 or email.

Appointments

To make an appointment to see the Macmillan welfare advisor for finance or welfare advice, please telephone 01708 435 174.

Queen's Hospital

Each week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Every person's experience of having secondary breast cancer (breast cancer which has spread to other parts of the body) is unique.

It can be a confusing and worrying time to find out that your breast cancer has spread, perhaps many years after your treatment has ended. For many, the uncertainty of living with secondary breast cancer can be the hardest part. It is the role of your Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to be knowledgeable about your disease, treatment, and support needs in order to help you to live with secondary breast cancer and receive the best care for you and your family.

Speak your mind

It helps us to care for you effectively if we know what your concerns are, and what information you would like. Don't be afraid to say what is on your mind as it is only when we know that we can help.

You will be offered a Holistic Needs Assessment at intervals during your care. This gives you the opportunity to think about your concerns (whether they are physical, psychological, or financial) and together we can explore solutions and develop a plan of action.

We work as part of a much wider team caring for you, the Multi-disciplinary Team. The team is made up of many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who work together to give you the best care and treatment. They include your oncologist, nurse specialist, radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, psychologists and many others.

You may be advised that your case is going to be discussed at the multi-disciplinary meeting (MDT). This is a meeting held each week when patient care, biopsies, scans are discussed. This is good practice as it means that many specialists are involved in making decisions about the care we recommend to you.

We work closely with the community health and social care teams and your GP to ensure continuity of care between the hospital and community services. We can arrange referrals to district nurses, specialist palliative care teams, hospice services, for benefits advice and financial support, psychological support and more.

Secondary breast cancer advice and support

It may be helpful to meet with others who share similar experience to you. You are invited to attend a local monthly group to chat, share experiences etc. and also to listen to guest speakers who talk about issues related to secondary breast cancer.

This service is called Living with Secondary Breast Cancer and is provided by Breast Cancer Care. You are welcome to attend regularly or dip in and out as you wish.

Please do contact us if you feel that we can support you or your family in any way or if you just want to talk about what is happening for you and have questions or concerns. Often we are with patients but please leave us a message and we will call you back.

Chemotherapy patient 24 hour advice line

If you are a chemotherapy patient and are unwell, call the 24 hour emergency advice line on 01708 435 000 ext 6485. This will be answered by a chemotherapy trained nurse chemotherapy trained nurse advice.

Free prescriptions

Did you know that if you are under 60 years old and have cancer you are entitled to free prescriptions? Ask us or your GP about getting a medical exemption certificate.

Macmillan Cancer information service

There is an information room in oncology outpatients with leaflets and information – also headscarves and a wig service are available. Contact Alix Holmes on 01708 435 174 (office hours).

Macmillan advice project

This offers advice on benefits and welfare. Contact Ray Wood on 020 8514 1659 (office hours)

Useful websites

www.breastcancercare.org.uk
www.macmillan.org.uk

Contact us

Linda Park – Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) / Keyworker)
Deana Bird – Macmillan CNS support worker

Office opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm

Telephone 01708 435 000 extension 3892

We provide an advisory service mainly for inpatients but some outpatients. In addition to the direct work we do with patients and relatives, we also invest a significant amount of time and energy in education. This is because all health care professionals require palliative care skills in order to provide patient centred and holistic care to patients living with progressive illness.

Key telephone numbers

Advice lines: 

Queen’s Hospital - 01708 435 026

King George Hospital - 020 8970 8002

Cancel or change your appointment - 01708 435 026

What type of treatments are available in our service?

Our Specialist Palliative Care Team consists of three consultants, a specialist registrar, lead nurse, clinical nurse specialists, social worker, occupational therapist, discharge nurse, end of life care facilitators and admin/secretarial support. Our expertise covers complex symptom control (pain management, nausea and vomiting, breathlessness etc.), social issues, complex discharge planning, psychological and spiritual support.

Clinic locations

Our team provide a face to face service seven days a week at both King George and Queen’s hospitals, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. A Clinical Nurse Specialist is also available at Queen’s Hospital between 8am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday. There is also out of hours telephone advice line for health care professionals which is manned by our on-call consultant.

Referrals and other information

Patients and their relatives are able to self-refer to the Specialist Palliative Care Team via the health care professionals looking after their care or by directly contacting the team on 01708 435 026. A health care provider would need to complete a referral form, available by calling the same number. 

Advance Care Planning 

Advance Care Planning is a voluntary process of discussion about future care between an individual and their care providers, friends and family.

These discussions should be documented, reviewed regularly and communicated to key persons involved in their care. Decisions are made when the individual has capacity and only come into effect when the individual no longer has capacity to make decisions for themselves.

For more information, download our  Advance Care Planning leaflet. 

The Tissue Viability Service provides a service to inpatients at both King George and Queen’s hospitals. It exists to provide healthcare professionals, patients and carers with advice, information and educational resources, and support in wound and skin care management.

The service provides treatment and advice according to current knowledge, expert opinion and research available to ensure that all professionals are able to retain or promote the skin integrity of the patients, where this is not possible, to give relief of symptoms relating to the damaged tissue.

Key telephone numbers

Reception: 01708 435 000 ext 4937

Treatments available

• Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management
• Complex wounds
• Surgical Wounds
• Leg Ulceration

Key Staff

Lead Nurse Harm Free Care: Deborah Wickens

Senior Tissue Viability Sister: Jane Hunt

Tissue Viability Sister: Danielle Blake

Tissue Viability Sister: Aline Lopes

Harm Free Care support nurse: Elisa Anipa