Introduction
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event and you and your family may experience a wide range of emotions and have a lot of questions and concerns throughout your cancer journey.
Your Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is available to provide ongoing support from the initial investigations leading to diagnosis, throughout your treatment and on to living with and beyond cancer.
They will provide you with any necessary information, answer any questions and provide emotional support and guidance to you and your family
For assistance regarding clinic appointments, you may contact the Dermatology secretaries on:
St Peter’s Hospital: 01932 726667 / 01932 722748
How is your care planned?
Your care is planned at a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting which is held weekly. The MDT consists of Surgeons, Medical Consultants, Radiologists, Histopathologists, Oncologists and Clinical Nurse Specialists. The investigations that have been performed are discussed and a treatment plan is agreed by the team.
Treatment may involve one of the following: Surgery, Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Radiotherapy, Targeted Therapy and Hormone Therapy or a combination.
You will have the opportunity to meet with your doctor and CNS to discuss your treatment plan at an outpatient clinic appointment where specific information will be given to you, including the possible side effects of the treatment and support services available to you.
We encourage patients to attend clinic appointments with a family member or friend for additional support.
Personalised Cancer Care
At Ashford and St Peter’s we provide a patient-centred approach, helping to support you living with and beyond cancer. We aim to provide a well-coordinated, holistic, personalised approach to your care.
Read more on our Personalised Care webpage.
Cancer Support Workers
Cancer support workers provide a dedicated support helpline for all our cancer patients, family members and carers. They are available to answer questions, help with appointments and access local support services as well as provide support throughout your cancer journey.
They work closely with your CNS and if the question or concern is of a clinical nature they will contact your CNS who will return your call.
Contact Number: 01932 723565
Macmillan Support and Information
At St Peter’s Outpatient department, area 2, there is a Macmillan Resource Room providing a quiet place to sit, offering many informational booklets for you to browse or take home. Macmillan provides a number of resources which are readily available to you such as:
- Understanding your specific cancer
- Cancer treatments and their side effects
- Support groups and services
- Welfare benefits
Macmillan Cancer Support has invested £1.9 million into a new cancer support centre that will be located within the Ashford Hospital site. The Centre is due to be up and running in the near future. The purpose-built facility will provide a space where experts and trained volunteers will listen, answer questions, and offer personalised information and support to help manage the impact of cancer.
As well as getting help with money worries and emotional support, patients will be able to access nurses and counselling sessions, complementary therapies, exercise classes and support groups
Telephone: 0808 808 000
Clinical Research
Research is a key aspect of the work of the NHS. It is through research that we provide evidence upon which we base our care and treatments, and improve our treatments.
The NHS constitution states that it is every patient’s right to be able to participate in a research study, should they wish to, and should they meet the requirements of the study.
There are many ongoing cancer clinical research projects at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals, you may be asked to participate in a study by your Surgeon or Oncologist. Please see our website for further information.
Additional Support
For more information and contact details please see your additional support page.
Spiritual Support
The Hospital Chaplain holds contact details of all the recognised bodies offering spiritual care, across the trust. Patients and their families who feel this input would be helpful can contact the Hospital Chaplain via the hospital switchboard by calling 01932 872000.
- Read more on Our Multi-faith Centres webpage
