Being diagnosed with cancer can be a difficult time for you and those close to you. This page gives you an overview of the care you can expect to receive as our patient at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH).
It also introduces different types of healthcare professionals you may meet along the way.
Please note that this page is not designed to explain your diagnosis and you should have received written information about this separately. If you are not sure about your diagnosis or have any questions, please talk to your nurse or doctor.
In autumn 2015, UCLH became a centre for the specialist treatment of prostate, bladder and penile cancers for the people of north and east London, and west Essex.
This means that while patients continue to have some of their cancer treatment at their local hospital, they may have surgery or specialist radiotherapy at UCLH. We work closely with local hospitals, GPs and other local services to make sure that care between different hospitals continues smoothly.
As a designated centre for urological cancers, located at the University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street, we provide expert medical and nursing care.
- We offer an extensive programme for treating prostate cancer and bladder cancer.
- We are one of only 12 penile cancer centres in the UK
- We are a specialist centre for the surgical treatment of testicular cancer.
For details on the different types of treatment offered at UCLH, visit our website: uclh.nhs.uk/urologicalcancers
Please note:
- Patients diagnosed with renal cancer at UCLH will have their treatment either at The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust or at UCLH.
- Patients with testicular cancer have their surgery at UCLH, but additional treatment or follow-up care is carried out at St Bartholomew’s Hospital (part of Barts Health NHS Trust).
A multidisciplinary team is a team of professionals who will be caring for you and supporting you at UCLH. This team consists of experts in different areas of medicine and care, such as doctors, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
It is important that you understand what your treatment involves. Please feel free to ask questions about any part of your care plan and we will do our best to give you clear answers.
We will also give you written information about your diagnosis and treatment. This is to support the discussions you will have with members of our team. If there is anything you don’t understand or have any questions about the written information, please ask us.
You may have a combination of face-to-face and telephone/video clinic appointments with the different members of the MDT. We recommend that you write down any questions you would like to ask before your appointment. This may help you to remember everything you’d like to know.
You may also wish to have a relative or friend present during your appointments, both telephone/video and face-to-face. They can help you to remember what has been discussed and offer you support.
Consultant surgeons
The consultant surgeon treating you will be a specialist in performing the type of surgery you need.
Consultant medical and clinical oncologists
Oncologists are specialists in the chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment used to treat your type of cancer.
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) in cancer care
Clinical nurse specialists are qualified nurses with specialist training and extensive experience in treating patients with your type of cancer. They offer advice and support throughout your diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Your CNS may also act as your key worker during your treatment. This means that they are a consistent point of contact for you, your family and any professionals involved in your care. You can contact your CNS from 8am to 4pm, Mon to Fri (excluding bank holidays).
CNS name: ____________________________________
Contact number: ____________________________________
Macmillan support workers
The support workers work alongside the CNSs and are an additional point of contact for patients. The support workers are not medically qualified, so they are unable to give medical advice. Instead, they can liaise with the relevant teams on your behalf and help you with referrals to different support services.
We know that cancer diagnosis and treatment can affect your quality of life in different ways. The support worker will offer you a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) to help you identify any concerns or worries you may have. The assessment will include questions about your general wellbeing, social situation and support network. For more information about the HNA, please ask to see our leaflet, Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA).
Consultant radiologists
Consultant radiologists are specialists in examining and interpreting X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, bone scans and other tests to diagnose disease.
Consultant histopathologists
Consultant histopathologists are specialists in examining tissue and cells taken from biopsies and other tests carried out to diagnose and confirm the type of cancer.
Continence team
It is a team of trained nurses with specialist knowledge relating to continence care (ability to control your bladder and bowel). If it is appropriate to refer you to your local continence team, your key worker will be able to do this for you.
Urinary diversion team
It is a team of three clinical nurse specialists providing specialist advice, support and education to patients undergoing urinary diversion, as well as their carers and healthcare professionals. The team is available between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, (excluding bank holidays).
Other members of the MDT (as applicable)
There are other specialists such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and research nurses who are part of the extended MDT. You may be referred to these specialists if appropriate. For up-to-date staff profiles please see our website.
The MDT meets every week to discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan of individual patients. They make sure that each patient receives the same high standard of care and has the most appropriate tests and treatment.
The recommendations discussed in the MDT meeting will be recorded in your notes. Following the meeting, you will have an appointment with your consultant and/or CNS to discuss the recommendations and your plan of care.
There are many treatment options available at UCLH for patients with urological cancers. The type of treatment you will be offered depends on the type of cancer you have. Your doctor will discuss with you the best treatment options for you.
If you have been referred to UCLH for surgery but are having the rest of your treatment locally, you will have at least one follow-up consultation at UCLH. After this, you will be referred back to your local hospital for further follow-up as needed.
If appropriate, you will receive detailed information on the surgical procedure you will have.
As a large research centre, UCLH runs a range of clinical studies aimed at improving knowledge, treatment and outcomes in urological care. Your doctor will talk to you about any research studies that may be suitable for you.
If you choose to participate, you will be supported by a research nurse.
A clinical trial is a carefully designed research study looking at the effects of a procedure or a treatment. A trial aims to find out if the treatment or procedure:
- is safe
- has side effects
- works better than the treatment that is currently used
- helps you feel better.
A trial can be carried out in the following areas:
- Screening – to find ways of detecting cancer at an earlier stage.
- Diagnosing cancer – looking at new tests or scans that detect cancer in a better way.
- Treatments – treatments with new drugs or new combinations of drugs, other types of treatment such as radiotherapy or surgery, or new ways of giving treatment.
- Controlling symptoms or side effects – reducing these by using new drugs or complementary therapies.
- Genetics – to help learn more about the role genes play in cancer.
We have a number of clinical trials in urological cancers looking at different treatment approaches. Your doctor may invite you to take part in a trial if you meet its criteria, and will explain what it involves.
It is entirely up to you whether or not you wish to get involved. If you decide not to take part, or if you choose to withdraw at any time, your treatment may change but you can expect the same lever of care.
Your GP will always be informed of your diagnosis, treatment and care. You will also be automatically copied into this correspondence. If there is anything you don’t understand in the letters that you receive, please tell your CNS or doctor at your next appointment. They will be happy to discuss any questions you may have.
MyCare UCLH gives you a secure online access to information about your care. You can:
- View details of your appointments and receive appointment alerts
- View your test results
- Send a message to your healthcare team.
Your doctor or nurse can activate your account during your appointment or send you an email with sign up instructions.
For more information about the portal, see our page, MyCare UCLH: a new way of viewing information about your care.
If you are currently receiving treatment and have a medical emergency out of hours, call NHS 111 or go to your local Emergency Department (A&E).
The Macmillan Support and Information Service, located on the ground floor of the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, offers advice, support and information to anyone affected by cancer or a blood condition.
You can drop in any time between 9am and 4.45pm, Monday to Friday, or call 020 3447 8663.
For more information about the service and what it offers, visit uclh.nhs.uk/
PALS is a patient-friendly, easy-to-access service designed to provide a personal contact point to assist patients, relatives and carers. If you have a problem that you have been unable to resolve, PALS can help you.
The University College Hospital PALS office is located on the ground floor of the main hospital building and is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Telephone: 020 3447 3042
Email: uclh.
This service is for patients who need communication support because they speak little or no English, or are deaf or hard of hearing. Our telephone interpreting offers over 170 languages and dialects that are readily available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If telephone interpreting isn’t suitable, your clinical team will arrange a face-to-face interpreter, or British Sign Language (BSL) or DeafBlind Communicator. Please let your clinical team know if you need an interpreter.
If you are coming for your treatment from another hospital, please ask your local team to let us know in advance that you need a face-to-face interpreter.
Congestion charge and ultra low emission zones
Both the Cancer Centre and University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street are in the congestion charge zone and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
For details on how to pay, contact Transport for London (TfL) on 0343 222 2222 (TfL call charges) or visit: tfl.gov.uk/
Please note there is no allocated parking at either site. For information about travelling on public transport, please visit Transport for London (TfL): tfl.gov.uk
Claiming a refund of hospital travel costs
If you are travelling to the hospital for NHS treatment under the care of a consultant, you may be able to claim a refund. For more information and to find out how to make a claim, visit our website: uclh.nhs.uk/
Blue Badge
If you have a Blue Badge, you will need to apply for a parking dispensation. For up-to-date information on this, please visit our website: uclh.nhs.uk/
Hospital transport
Patients who are medically unfit to travel by any other means may qualify for hospital transport. To see if you qualify, you will need to undergo an assessment about your clinical condition and mobility. This is carried out by a member of a nurse-led assessment team.
If you wish to be assessed, you can contact the transport assessment team on 020 3456 7010 as soon as you receive your appointment.
If you need help to apply for hospital transport, a friend, relative or carer can call on your behalf.
As a patient affected by cancer, you are entitled to free prescriptions. Simply pick up a FP92A form from your GP surgery, complete the form and ask your GP, hospital doctor or CNS to sign it.
To find out if you are entitled to financial help and benefits:
- speak to your CNS
- pop into the Macmillan Support and Information Service on the ground floor of the Cancer Centre
- phone the Macmillan helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (open between 9am and 8pm, Monday to Friday).
University College Hospital
235 Euston Road, London NW1 2BU
University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
16 – 18 Westmoreland St, London W1G 8PH
University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
Huntley Street, London WC1E 6AG
Switchboard: 020 3456 7890
Website: uclh.nhs.uk/
Prostate Cancer UK
Provides information and support for patients with prostate cancer and their families.
Website: prostatecanceruk.org
Tel: 0800 074 8383
Fight Bladder Cancer
A national charity supporting those with bladder cancer, campaigning to raise awareness and supporting medical research.
Website: fightbladdercancer.co.uk
Kidney Cancer UK
Provides help, support and information on all matters relating to kidney cancer.
Website: kcuk.org.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support
Provides practical, social and financial support and information for people affected by cancer and those close to them.
Website: macmillan.org.uk
Tel: 0808 808 00 00
Orchid
Provides information and support about male-specific cancers: penile, testicular and prostate.
Website: orchid-cancer.org.uk
Tel: 0808 802 0010
British Association of Urology Surgeons (BAUS)
There is a section for patients on the website providing information about urological conditions and treatment.
Website: baus.org.uk/
Cancer Research UK
Provides information about cancer and clinical trials.
Website: cancerresearch.org.uk
Tel: 080 800 4040
British Association of Urological Nurses (BAUN)
Provides reliable information on urological diseases.
Website: baun.co.uk/
Healthtalk.org
Provides free and reliable information about a range of health issues, by sharing people’s real-life experiences.
Website: healthtalk.org
Action Bladder Cancer (ABC)
Provides support to people with bladder cancer and aims to improve research into bladder cancer.
Website: actionbladdercanceruk.org
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust cannot accept responsibility for information provided by external organisations.
Make a note of your clinicians' names and the department's contact details, for future reference.
Services
Page last updated: 18 July 2024
Review due: 01 March 2025