Welcome to the Oncology Department
Oncology is the study and treatment of Cancer. It offers outpatient and inpatient facilities and treats a range of solid tumour type cancers. The unit works with the medical and surgical departments in West Suffolk Hospital and with the oncology services at Addenbrooks Hospital in Cambridge. GP’s can also refer directly to the oncologists.
The staff in the Macmillan Unit (oncology department) are specialists in this field and we aim to provide a co-ordinated and holistic service that is focused on the complete needs of the patient. Diagnostic services, chemotherapy and supportive treatment are offered, along with patient and carer support, and access to specialist information and advice.
Services Provided
The Macmillan Unit is purpose built unit, which was opened, in 2005 providing inpatient and outpatient facilities for the management of patients with common cancers and some less common tumours. The day chemotherapy suite is one of the newest and best equipped in the region. The consultants are all jointly appointed with Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge providing seamless access to a range of specialist services. The cancers treated at West Suffolk Hospital include the following:
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Breast Cancer
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Lung Cancer
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Colorectal Cancer
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Prostate Cancer
as well as some rarer diseases including cancers of the Oesophagus, Stomach, Pancreas, Bladder, kidney, and lymphoma.
Treatments provided include:
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Radiotherapy - This is the use of high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells, but cause as little harm as possible to normal cells. Radiotherapy is normally performed at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, but organized and supervised by the West Suffolk team. It can be carried out at Ipswich Hospital or The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital if the patient prefers.
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Chemotherapy – This is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. Some are given as tablets or capsules but most are given by drip (infusion) into the vein.
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Hormones – These work by altering the levels of particular hormones in the body.
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Biological Therapies – These use substances that occur naturally in the body to destroy cancer cells.
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Symptom relief
The department is committed to research and offers many patients the opportunity to participate in national and multinational clinical trials.
The oncology department does not provide a diagnostic service for solid tumours. Patients with suspected cancer should be seen by the appropriate medical or surgical specialty for diagnosis and initial investigations. The consultants are present at the multidisciplinary meetings held within West Suffolk Hospital (and also those which are video-linked across the area in the case of rarer cancers), enabling early involvement where it is appropriate for patient care.
Macmillan Information Centre:
The centre provides access to a wide range of information about cancer in a supportive and friendly environment. This service has been created for patients, families, carers and friends. No appointment is necessary, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm. Our information Centre manager, Wendy Marchant can be contacted on 01284 713023.
Main Contact Numbers
Macmillan Day Treatment Unit: 01284 713040
Macmillan Inpatient Unit: 01284 713234
Macmillan Outpatients Reception: 01284 713267
Oncology Department main fax: 01284 713571
Members of the team:
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Name
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Profession
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Secretary/contact
|
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Dr Margaret Moody
|
Consultant Clinical Oncologist
(Breast, Colorectal cancers, Lymphoma)
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Mrs. Linda Stephenson
01284 713919
|
|
Dr Cathryn Woodward
|
Consultant Clinical Oncologist
(Breast, Urological cancers)
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Mrs. Shirley Rogers
01284 713166
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Dr Yvonne Rimmer
|
Consultant Clinical Oncologist, (Urological, Lung Cancer)
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Mrs. Elaine Cunningham - 01284 712993
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Dr Dan Patterson
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Consultant Medical Oncologist
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Mrs Brenda Foulds - 01284 713195
|
|
Mrs. Karen McKinnon
|
Lead Cancer Nurse/Macmillan Oncology Nurse Specialist
(Colorectal, Upper GI and Lung cancers)
|
01284 713212
bleep 747 (via switch)
|
|
Mrs. Alison Dean
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Macmillan Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
(Breast cancer)
|
01284 713212
bleep 464 (via switch)
|
|
Mr. Fred Tuck
|
Macmillan Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
(Urological cancers)
|
01284 713212
bleep 464 (via switch)
|
|
Helen Small
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Macmillan Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
|
01284 713212
bleep 863 (via switch)
|
|
Jill Thain
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Acute Oncology Service Clinical Nurse Specialist
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01284 713212
bleep 240 (via switch)
|
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Mrs. Francesca Davidson
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Macmillan Unit Manager
|
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Where are we?
The Macmillan Unit is situated on the ground floor, at the rear of the hospital. There is allocated parking for those patients undergoing treatment.
Appointments
Patients are referred by either the local MDT’s or via their GP, whom can make an outpatients appointment with the consultants’ secretaries.
Clinics
|
Clinic
|
Where
|
When
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|
Dr Woodward/Dr Moody
Joint Breast Clinic
|
Macmillan Unit
|
Monday AM
|
|
Dr. Rimmer
Uro-Oncology
|
Macmillan Unit
|
Monday AM
|
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Dr Moody
Lymphoma Clinic
|
Macmillan Unit
|
Alternate Friday AM
|
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Dr. Woodward
Breast
|
Macmillan Unit
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Monday PM
|
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Dr Woodward
Uro-oncology (prostate, Bladder and Kidney)
|
Macmillan Unit
|
Wednesday AM
|
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Dr Moody
Colorectal Clinic
|
Macmillan Unit
|
Wednesday PM
|
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Dr. Rimmer
Lung
|
Macmillan Unit
|
Thursday PM
|
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Nurse led Clinic
|
Macmillan Unit
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Tuesday PM
Friday AM
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Patient Information
Patient leaflets relating to oncology| can be found in the PALS section.
Support Groups
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Asian Cancer Information and Support Line
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0800 590415
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Macmillan Cancer Relief
|
0808 808 2020
www.macmillan.org.uk|
|
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National Cancer Alliance
|
01865 793566
www.nationalcanceralliance.co.uk|
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Cambridge Cancer Support Centre
|
01223 566151
|
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Newmarket Breast Cancer support Group
|
01284 712527
|
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Saffron Walden Cancer/Leukemia Support
|
01799 599284
|
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Thetford Cancer Support Group
|
01842 763734
|
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West Suffolk Cancer Support Group
|
01284 702818
|
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Prostate Cancer Support Group
|
01284 712735
Jane.thacker@wsh.nhs.uk|
|
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Sudbury Cancer Support Group
|
01787 374780
|
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St Nicholas Hospice Family Support
|
01284 766133
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