Karen DeSouza is a consultant medical oncologist, working across UCLH and Whittington Health.
What is the purpose of your role?
I am a consultant medical oncologist, caring for people diagnosed with cancer, with a particular focus on breast cancer. I work across both UCLH and Whittington Health.
My role involves delivering high-quality, compassionate cancer care and improving patient outcomes and experience. I am also actively involved in research and education, helping to advance how we treat and understand cancer.
At the Whittington Hospital, I am the lead cancer clinician and the lead for SACT (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy) services. SACT includes anti-cancer drugs such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In my role, I focus on improving how these services are delivered - making them safer, more efficient, and better tailored to patients’ needs.
What does a typical working day involve for you?
A typical working day involves a mix of clinical care, leadership, research and teaching.
I look after patients with cancer in both outpatient clinics, and on the wards at UCLH and Whittington Hospital. My week includes multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, team huddles, research services projects, and teaching sessions. I also lead on service development and improvement work, helping shape how cancer care is delivered.
At the heart of everything I do is a focus on high-quality care, advancing cancer treatment, and making sure patients feel supported and empowered throughout their journey.
What skills do you need for your role?
My role requires a broad and balanced set of skills. Clinically, I need strong diagnostic and treatment planning abilities in oncology, along with the ability to provide safe, effective and compassionate care to patients.
As a clinical lead, I also use leadership and management skills to help improve cancer services. This includes identifying areas where care can be streamlined, supporting staff through training, and working closely with teams across the hospital to ensure services run safely and efficiently.
Good communication, teamwork, and a focus on patient experience are essential to everything I do.
What is your proudest moment at UCLH?
I am proud of the cancer services we deliver, which have a real impact on patients across both UCLH and Whittington Health.
One moment that stands out was safely treating a pregnant patient with chemotherapy for high-risk breast cancer at UCLH.
It was a complex case that required close teamwork across several specialist teams, and I am pleased to say both the mother and baby are doing well. It’s moments like this that highlight the strength of our multidisciplinary approach.
I feel that my work as a consultant across both UCLH and Whittington Health has helped strengthen the partnership between our cancer services, in both research and clinical care, bringing benefits for patients and staff.
Work with us!
We’re looking for people who will live our values and help us make a difference to the thousands of patients who come to us for treatment every year. We believe that every member of staff plays an important role in our vision, whatever their role.
This article was featured in our latest 2025 UCLH Magazine Summer issue. Click below to read the online version.
