Oncology is the medical term for cancer related issues. London Bridge Hospital provides a comprehensive cancer service including diagnostics, surgery, chemotherapy, brachytherapy and symptom management. We offer a comfortable and friendly environment tailored to suit the needs of all cancer patients. The well established multidisciplinary team provides holistic care to the patient throughout their cancer journey. Some nurses rotate between the inpatient ward and the day case unit, this has a dual benefit of providing continuity for patients and facilitating ongoing professional development.

Services

There are a number of medical and clinical oncologists from London teaching hospitals who have admitting rights to the services and therefore we provide treatment for the following types of cancer:

• Breast
• Colorectal
• Gynaecology
• Head & Neck
• Melanoma
• Lung
• Lymphoma
• Pancreatic and Hepatobilitary
• Urology
• Upper GI (Gastrointestinal) 

For specific information on our Haematology/Oncology service please visit our dedicated website

Other relevant information:

The Chemotherapy Day Unit

Situated in 29 Tooley Street this spacious and modern specialised unit has state of the art chemotherapy equipment. The professional and highly skilled team of senior nurses provide a supportive environment for all patients receiving chemotherapy and related treatments such as hormonal therapy and immunotherapy. The facility includes two fully equipped consulting rooms for outpatient consultations, a patient information area and a complementary therapies room. All patients attending the unit are offered a one to one session with a specialist nurse prior to starting their treatment.

The Inpatient Cancer Services

The Inpatient ward comprises 15 single rooms some with river views. Patients may undergo surgical (particularly breast and maxilliofacial), medical or diagnostic and interventional radiology procedures. Two of the rooms are isolation rooms which may be used to treat patients undergoing Stem Cell transplantation following high dose chemotherapy. All of our staff are qualified as cancer nursing practitioners giving them the necessary skills to ensure your treatment is administered safely. There is a sitting room available for visitors to use during the patients stay.

Support  Services

Within the cancer unit at London Bridge Hospital we have a range of support services:

• A team of oncology pharmacists and technicians reconstitute the chemotherapy in a sterile unit on site as well as giving advice regarding treatments and related side effects.
• Two Breast Care Clinical Nurse Specialist provide support for patients from diagnosis through to treatment and follow up. In conjunction with ex-patient our Breast Care Specialist Nurses run a monthly support group, for further details please click here (www.pinkbuddies.co.uk)
• There is a Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and a deputy who provide symptom management, counselling, support and help with the transfer of patients to community palliative teams or hospices.
• Two dieticians provide specialist support to patients undergoing cancer treatments.
• One of our inpatient physiotherapists is also available to see day cases on request.
• A Clinical Psychologist is able to provide counselling on a more formal basis.
• A team of Complementary Therapists offer Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Massage in a dedicated area within the Chemotherapy Day Unit and in the inpatient rooms.
• A Hospital Chaplain is able to visit patients during the week and can offer Holy Communion to patients as required. 
   

As part of our Hospital quality initiative we have BUPA Breast and BUPA Colorectal accreditation and are currently working towards BUPA Gynecological accreditation. We are also part of the HCA Cancer Network. Our Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist has recently won the Lang & Buisson Independent Healthcare Award and the International Journal of Palliative Care Nursing Award.

Further information: 
Gill Welch,  Chair of HCA Cancer Care Nursing Board Tel. 020 7234 2502
Jane Loughnane, CDU Manager  Tel. 020 7234 2182