Information for GPs

We work closely with primary care to ensure all local patients with suspected cancer are rapidly assessed and referred to other cancer centres if required for specialist diagnostic or treatments. Our national performance targets have improved over the last year and demonstrated sustained compliance and this has been recognised by local commissioners.

 

Multidisciplinary teams meet regularly to discuss patients’ care and treatment plans, which helps to ensure that we meet the Department of Health targets for cancer waiting times. At the Whittington, we have been successful in ensuring that patients who are given urgent cancer referrals by their GP are seen within two weeks and that treatment begins within 62 days of their referral. All patients who are found to have cancer are treated within 31 days of the decision to treat.

 

The cancer strategy for Whittington Health aims to deliver person centred care. We have a designated chemotherapy unit providing ongoing care for cancer patients. Our cancer and Haematology day-case patients are cared for within the chemotherapy suite supported by an aseptic suite unit for Chemotherapy Production.

 

The oncology services work alongside site specific tumour services as well as supporting services at the Royal Free and University College London hospitals. The colorectal, upper GI and lung cancer services are supported by Dr Pauline Leonard, consultant medical oncologist. Dr Leonard will also see cancer patients with unknown primaries in these clinics. Dr Leonard also leads the Acute Oncology Service, ensuring all patients admitted with complications of their disease or subsequent treatments receive an expert oncology review within 24 hours. The breast cancer service is led by Dr Emma Spurrell, Consultant Medical Oncologist. The Urology cancer service is supported by Dr Maria Vilarino-Varela who is a visiting Consultant from the Royal Free.