Cancer care

We always work to deliver the best possible care and compassion to cancer patients and their families.

We have facilities to diagnose and treat many types of cancer and offer a wide range of services for adults, children and young people. One in three of us will develop some form of cancer at some point in our lives, and our teams are committed to improving the outcome for you if you are diagnosed with cancer.

As a Frimley Health patient you will have much of your treatment at one of our hospitals. However, depending on your cancer type, there may be occasions when you have to visit one of our partner hospitals, or a specialist cancer unit, which is a recognised centre of excellence for that particular type of cancer.

We aim to tailor your care to your needs, depending on the type of cancer that you have.

Who will care for you 

If your GP thinks you may have cancer, they will refer you to one of our hospitals. You will have an appointment within two weeks of being referred to us. Often, your symptoms will be caused by a condition that is not cancer, but it is important that these are checked as soon as possible.

Most patients will be seen initially in the outpatients clinic by a doctor. You may also meet your key worker, who is usually one of the clinical nurse specialists. You may have some tests or scans on the same day, and you will have the opportunity to discuss your symptoms and concerns and you will be given some information to take home to read.

If you are diagnosed with cancer, you will be cared for by a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) of expert doctors, nurses and specialist healthcare professionals. This team will support you and your family and will help you to understand your tests and treatment options.

Other care and support

We know that having cancer affects so many areas of your daily life. This is why we will be there for you with advice and information to help you cope with emotional, physical and practical problems. Whether you need guidance on nutrition or complementary therapies, controlling your pain, coping with symptoms, anxiety and side effects, or how to keep working, we want to help you to live as normal a life as possible during your illness.

Teenagers and young adults

Our hospitals offer shared care services for young people with cancer. This means that young adults can have some of their care and treatment nearer to home if requested. We have a part-time dedicated TYA clinical nurse specialist based across both sites who can provide support during your diagnosis, treatment and future care.

Teenagers from the age of 16 up to their 19th birthday with a suspected cancer will be referred to one of our shared care services called a primary treating centre (PTC) for diagnosis. If cancer is confirmed, the oncology/haematology team at that hospital will decide the treatment plan and refer to the shared care service for some of their treatment if possible.

For 18–24 year olds, as much local treatment and support as possible will be available through the relevant adult teams, and specialist centre referrals will occur according to the type of tumour being treated and hospital they are diagnosed at.

Support at the local PTC will be offered to all TYA patients and will be supported by a social worker, youth worker and a clinical nurse specialist.

Treatment may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, depending on the type of cancer diagnosed. For example, if regular outpatient chemotherapy is needed, it may be possible for this to be administered at the local hospital within FHFT, or alongside the relevant specialist centre, depending on the type of disease being treated.

All teenagers, young adults and their parents will be able to come in and meet members of our team, including their key worker and find out more about their diagnosis and planned treatment.