Oncology (children)
Children and young people suspected of having cancer need the help of a variety of healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat their conditions. This can be done in a specialised Principal Treatment Centre (PTC), a Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit (POSCU) and in the community.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is a POSCU for children and young people with cancer, which means that much of the care after diagnosis is provided locally by us, with the emphasis on normalising life as much as possible and minimising the impact of the disease. We provide a holistic supportive care service which enables children & young people to receive some aspects of their care as close to home as possible, or at home when appropriate.
We can administer less complex chemotherapy and provide supportive care when the effects of chemotherapy lower the immunity. Our unit is run by a multi-disciplinary team, which is made up of a number of different healthcare professionals who work together to look after the children & young people in our care.
The service includes:
- Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) who will be the key worker for the children & young people on treatment. She will provide support & advice for the children & young people and their families throughout the course of their treatment.
- Excellent communication with the PTC & community team to ensure treatment is received in the appropriate place.
- Direct access to either Neptune or Jupiter wards during treatment and up to 6 months post treatment , should they need to be reviewed or admitted thus bypassing the GP or A&E.
- Dedicated Paediatric Oncology clinics twice a week which are utilised for the administration of chemotherapy, planned reviews, planned blood tests.
- Saturn Day Care Unit for administration of blood products
- Monthly clinics for children & young people once they have finished treatment in conjunction with the PTC
Consultants and key staff
- Dr Madiha Elsawi, Consultant
- Dr Wathik Alsaud, Consultant
- Kate Hopwood/Teresa Northey, Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Sam Talboys, Designated Paediatric Pharmacist
