Appointments

Acute oncology

We can only offer appointments after you've spoken to one of our nurse specialists on the phone.

Please do not attend without an appointment as space is limited in our unit.

How to get an appointment

Please phone us on 020 7188 3754.

We'll take details of your condition and a nurse specialist will call you back.

They'll make an assessment and advise if you need to see a specialist face-to-face.

Our nurse specialist will speak with the service treating you to arrange a referral if necessary.

Due to high demand in London emergency (A&E) departments, our nurse specialist may having difficulty contacting the department.

They may ask you to get the emergency (A&E) department to phone when you arrive.

Changing your appointment

Phone: 020 7188 3754

Please try to attend at your agreed appointment time. If you become delayed, please call us so we can make sure an assessment plan is in place.

Before your appointment

We can access your hospital medical notes, chemotherapy prescriptions and past diagnostic results.

Please bring with you:

  • a list of medicines you take
  • any recent letters or results from other hospitals
  • any correspondence from your GP regarding other health problems

If you find it difficult to bring this information with you, please do not worry or delay attending.

You can bring a book, smartphone or electronic device with headphones to use while you wait. We have public WiFi.

You can bring 1 person with you. We may ask them to wait in the waiting room if we become short of space in the treatment area.

During your appointment

Please come to reception at the Chemotherapy Village on level C of the Cancer Centre to let us know you've arrived.

You'll see a nurse specialist who'll let you know how long your assessment is likely to take. This varies depending on whether you need blood tests or an X-ray.

Sometimes, we need to admit people to hospital for further assessment and treatment if necessary.

We provide a free food and drink trolley in the morning, midday and afternoon. We also provide a hot dinner at 6pm.

We'll provide you with prescriptions for any medicines you need at home and make sure you understand how to take them.

After your appointment

Before you leave the assessment unit, we'll advise you of any follow-up arrangements.

We'll record your assessment on your clinical records and share this with your cancer team.

Last updated: November 2023

Do you have any comments or concerns about your care?

Contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

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