Cancer Service overview
Cancer services provide care for patients who have a diagnosis of cancer and need chemotherapy, radiotherapy and supportive care.
You will have access to oncologists, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, specialist nursing teams and palliative care, both as an inpatient and outpatient.
After your diagnosis
After being diagnosed with cancer you will be allocated a cancer clinical nurse specialist (CNS) who may be referred to as your key worker. Your CNS will give you their contact details and will stay in regular contact with you during your pathway of care. They will provide continuous support, liaise with your GP and community team, and will offer information about your condition, treatment and general information about living with cancer.
Pre-assessment clinic
If you’re going to have surgery at the cancer centre then you will need to attend a pre-assessment clinic prior to your surgery. It may be possible for you to attend a pre-admission clinic at your local hospital, but some patients will need to be seen at Southend Hospital.
The nurse and doctor will chat with you about your general health and will arrange for blood tests, a heart tracing (ECG) and possibly other tests. They will also discuss the operation you are planning to have, the benefits, side-effects and potential risks.
To discuss your care needs, please speak to your CNS or ask the consultant in charge by using the cancer directory.
AttendAnywhere video consultations for patients
We've introduced video appointments to help us carry on seeing patients during the current coronavirus pandemic.
Many of our services are now using this resource. Visit our AttendAnywhere page to find out more and to watch a short video, which will help you understand how these video appointments will work.
Chemotherapy
We have chemotherapy units at Broomfield and Southend hospitals. If you need this as part of your cancer treatment, your consultant will refer you to the chemotherapy team.
The team will call you to book you into a pre-assessment appointment. At the pre-assessment appointment, we will be encouraged to bring a family member or friend as you will be given lots of information about your diagnosis, such as
- treatment plan
- emergency contact details
- potential side effects and how to manage them.
We will also show you around the unit and introduce you to the team and give you your first treatment date.
Contact the chemotherapy units, Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm on
Broomfield - 01245 514682
Southend - TBC
Oncology
The team specialise in the non-surgical treatment of cancer which may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy or sometimes both.
Radiotherapy services are delivered at Southend Hospital or are referred to Colchester Hospitals University Foundation Trust. Find out more information at www.esneft.nhs.uk/service/cancer.
Acute Oncology Service
You may experience side effects or complications as a result of your condition or treatment - these are most likely to occur within six weeks of treatment.
Our acute oncology service provides assessment and advice for patients who have received treatment for cancer within the last six weeks offering faster administration of antibiotics and reduced length of stay in hospital.
Paediatric Oncology
Basildon - 01268 524900 ext. 1259
Broomfield - 01245 513256 (Paediatric Assessment Unit)
Southend - 01702 385164, community nurses - 01702 372076 (for urgent out of hours 07966792396).
Oncology Research Team
Our oncology research nurses are based in the Helen Rollason Research centre at Broomfield Hospital. It’s a dedicated research centre for all patients taking part in a clinical trial.
Contact the Research and Development department on 01245 515136 or the Lead Research Nurse / Co-Director of R&D on 01245 516599, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
For more information about research and taking part in a trial, visit our research page.
Radiotherapy
Our radiotherapy service is based at Southend Hospital.
Watch the video below to find out how radiotherapy may be used in your treatment for cancer.
Urology
Basildon - 01245 514499 and 01268 524900 ext. 8491
Broomfield - 01245 514499
Southend - 01702 385369 or 01702 385078 for Southbourne urology ward. Only two visitors between 7am and 9pm, unless stated otherwise by the nurse in charge.
Essex urology specialist cancer centre – email UPC@southend.nhs.uk
Support services
We have a range of support services that we can offer to help you and your family through your diagnosis and treatment.
If you have not already been offered these options and you feel that it would benefit you, ask your keyworker and they will refer you.
Counselling
These sessions allow you to work through the emotions and feelings associated with dealing with a life-changing diagnosis. Contact the Basildon service on 01268 394740.
Spiritual care
We have chaplains and faith centres across all of our main hospitals to cater for your religious or spiritual needs - ask to be referred to the chaplaincy team during your in-patient stay. The on call chaplain can also be contacted through the hospital switchboard.
Support groups
These sessions allow you to work through the emotions and feelings associated with dealing with a life-changing diagnosis.
Living well with and beyond cancer
Mid and South Essex - 01702 435555 ext. 5573
For more information, see our Living Well with cancer page.
Cancer information and support services
The Macmillan Information centres are available at each of our main hospitals to provide you and those close to you with a range of materials and guidance to help support you through your cancer journey.
Our drop-in centres are staffed by trained professionals and volunteers who can lend an ear and offer you a safe space to talk. They provide information, advice and support on your condition, treatment and side effects, finance and work, diet and exercise and supportive care (including counselling, complementary therapies and relaxation techniques). They are also able to signpost or refer you to local services and groups for ongoing support.
Basildon
Located in the outpatients department, open Monday 1.30pm to 4.30pm,
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 4.30pm, and Friday 9am to 12.30pm. Contact them on 01268 524900 ext. 3250/1239 or email mse.cancer.support@nhs.net.
For out of hours, call the Information resource service at St Lukes House on 01375 648170, available Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4.30pm.
Broomfield
The Macmillan pod at Broomfield hospital is temporarily closed. For non-urgent queries, patients and their families can contact the Macmillan Information Centre at Southend. Contact them on 01702 385101 or email mse.macmillan.centre@nhs.net.
Alternatively, for further information and support including emotional, financial, and work issues contact the Macmillan Support Line. Contact them on 0808 808 0000, open daily 8am to 8pm.
Southend
Located on the ground floor of the Tower Block, open Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm. Contact them on 01702 385101 or email mse.macmillan.centre@nhs.net.
Mid Essex Cancer services user group
We support and actively encourage our patients and carers to get involved with the delivery and development of cancer services. Find out how you can take part and influence the delivery of our services at www.mecsug.org.uk.
Become a cancer champion
If you would like to help shape and influence cancer care across mid and south Essex - join our cancer champion engagement committee.