Cancer services during coronavirus

We are working towards getting our cancer services back to normal. However, there are still some challenges to address the backlog caused by coronavirus – please see below for details. Please be assured that if you do need to come into hospital, there are measures in place to keep you safe.

Surgery

Due to the backlog caused by coronavirus, some surgery might be postponed or delayed. However, where a serious delay would cause immediate harm, surgery will go ahead. If your surgery has been postponed, please be assured that senior cancer doctors are keeping this under close review. They may look to start you on the most appropriate therapy to ensure clinical safety while you wait for surgery.

Chemotherapy

Most chemotherapy treatments are continuing, however you might be given different options for attending your appointments and receiving your therapy. Your treating team will let you know any changes to your treatment and will discuss with you the best possible options for your situation.

Please see the Government advice on shielding if you or members of your household are receiving chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Outpatient appointments

We are now mainly offering face-to-face outpatient appointments for cancer appointments that cannot take place by phone or video. We are continuing with some urgent video and phone appointments, to avoid unnecessary trips to hospital. If your appointment is by phone or video, please watch this video which includes top tips on making the most of your virtual appointment.

Tests

All tests to determine a possible cancer diagnosis or to support cancer treatment are continuing. Long-term, non-urgent follow-up tests have also restarted.

Getting support

Please be assured that if you are asked to come into hospital for an appointment or for treatment, it is safe to do so. Please read the Attending our hospitals webpage for more information.

Please contact your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) with clinical queries. If your clinical concerns are serious or you need immediate medical help, you might need to call 111.

If you are concerned about changes to your appointments and need to speak to someone, or to be put in touch with the most appropriate service to address your concerns, please contact us:

Phone: 020 3299 5228
Email: [email protected]