Cancer Services (GP information)
Introduction
The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Cancer Unit is part of the Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire and Luton STP Cancer Locality Group, within EOE Cancer Alliance. The Trust provides diagnostics, surgery (except for some specialist surgery which is undertaken at tertiary centres), chemotherapy (solid and haematological malignancies), access to clinical trials and on-going care.
Within Beds and Herts the Trust is the centre for specialist head and neck surgery, Watford Hospital is the lead for gynaecological and upper gastrointestinal surgery and Lister Hospital for urological surgery.
Oncology services are provided by consultant staff from Mount Vernon, taking part in multidisciplinary working and combined clinics with the Trust cancer teams. Mount Vernon Hospital Cancer Centre provides specialist care, including radiotherapy and complex chemotherapy.
The Luton and Dunstable Hospital offers services to patients with the following cancers:
- Breast
- CUP
- Gynaecological
- Haematological
- Head & Neck
- Head & Neck – Thyroid
- Lower Gastrointestina
- Lung
- Paediatrics
- Skin
- Specialist Palliative Care
- Upper Gastrointestinal – Oesophageal and Gastric
- Upper Gastrointestinal – Pancreatic
- Urological
The Luton and Dunstable Hospital Cancer Services also offer specialist palliative care services within the hospital and link closely with the respective community teams and hospices.
Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings for all tumour sites are held on a regular basis, mostly weekly, to discuss newly diagnosed or suspected cancer patients. Some MDT meetings participate in video-conferencing with other Trusts to encourage wider specialist discussion and input to the patient pathway.
Referral Process
For urgent referral of patients with suspected cancer under the two week wait rule:
Please refer patients using the 2ww referral proforma and send by Fax using the appropriate Cancer Bureau Fax Cover Sheet or through the Electronic Referral System (Choose and Book). The referral forms can be downloaded from our GP website:
(www.ldh.nhs.uk/gps-professionals/pathways-referral-guidance-for-gps/)
Faxes should be sent to either of the following numbers:
01582 497910 or 01582 497911
These faxes will be received by the Cancer Bureau based at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital. For suspected lung cancer patients, a green form should be used for the patient to attend the Main X-Ray department at the L&D for CXR examination. Such patients should also be referred by Fax through the Cancer Bureau to be reviewed in the chest clinic within two weeks.
Procedures Provided
Additional cancer services provided by the Luton and Dunstable Hospital:
Chemotherapy Unit
Senior Sister: Nicky Brown
This nurse-led service operates from a purpose-built unit within the Macmillan Cancer Unit, providing eight chairs and two beds. The unit is open Monday – Friday 8.30 to 17.00. The team administers day case cytotoxic chemotherapy and supportive treatments to oncology and haematology patients. This team also provides advice and information for patients, carers, relatives, community nurses, and hospital staff.
Complementary Therapists
Trained volunteer therapists offer the following services: aromatherapy (back, full body, feet, leg and hand massage), reflexology, facials, Indian head massage. Referrals for therapies can be made via the appropriate healthcare professional. At present there are two sessions per week Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
Lymphoedema Services
The clinic is primarily funded for lymphoedema secondary to cancer treatments and is based within the Macmillan Cancer Unit. Referrals are made from Healthcare Professionals, from the acute and primary care settings.
Information Services
There is a full supportive Care service in place with access to Macmillan Benefits Advice, Psychological Support, Cancer and Exercise programs and Health and Wellbeing sessions as part of the implementation of the Recovery Package for Cancer Survivors. The Macmillan Cancer Information Co-ordinator based within the Macmillan Cancer Unit aims to provide appropriate information and support for all those affected by cancer; this includes patients, their families, friends and carers. The service will strive to ensure that this information and support is responsive to the needs of its users both as groups and individuals. The service has a dedicated information/resource room for everyone affected by cancer to use, including hospital staff. Links and an outreach service into the local community are to be developed. Patients should be referred through the appropriate Clinical Nurse Specialists if Welfare Benefits or Psychology services are required.
Patient Support Groups
Breast: The Breast Cancer Support Group meets at the Breast Screening Centre, providing support and information on an informal basis. The programme includes informal sessions with regular speakers. It is open to all patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Upper GI
The Upper GI Support Group is for patients who have had surgery or radical chemo/radiotherapy and provides support for patients and their families focusing on their well-being post treatment, with support from fellow patients and families.
Head & Neck
This support groups meets on the first Tuesday of each month
Haematology/leukemia
There are plans to start this group later in the year.
Clinics
Breast Clinics
Symptomatic one-stop clinic/Follow up clinic/Nurse-led follow up clinic/Symptomatic assessment clinic/Combined surgical/oncology clinic
Lung Clinics
One Stop Clinic/Oncology clinic/Bronchoscopy sessions/Thoracic surgeon clinic
Colorectal Clinics
Surgical clinics/Gastroenterology clinics/Endoscopy sessions/Joint surgical/oncology clinics
Oesophageal and Gastric Clinics
Surgical clinics/Gastroenterology clinics/Endoscopy/Joint surgical/oncology clinics
Pancreatric Clinics
Joint HPB Clinic/Pancreatic Oncology Clinic
Gynaecological Clinics
Gynaecological clinics/Colposcopy clinics/Joint gynaecology/oncology clinics
Urological Clinics
Urology One Stop Clinics/Joint urology/oncology clinics/Nurse-led prostate cancer follow up
Haematological Clinics
Haematology clinic/Joint haematology/oncology clinic
Skin Clinics
Dermatology clinic/Parallel dermatology/oncology/Plastic surgery clinics
Head and Neck Clinics
ENT clinics/Oral & Maxillofacial Clinics/Joint Head & Neck Oncology Clinic/Voice clinic/Rapid access neck lump clinic
Specialist Thyroid Clinics
Thyroid/Thyroid One Stop clinic/Ultrasound
Brain
Prior to referring via the 2ww referral route please seek advice on Brain & CNS referrals by calling the Consultant neurologists. The Consultants can be contacted via the medical secretaries between 08.00-16.00 on: 01582 497175/ 718295/ 497240.
Paediatrics
CUP
Specialist Palliative Care Clinics
Community Macmillan Nursing Team and Palliative Care Clinic
The Hospital Specialist Palliative Care Nurses can be contacted on 01582 497522. Messages are collected from the answerphone regularly throughout the day. For cases of an urgent nature, bleep 269, or 492.