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The Derriford Children’s Cancer Service (DCCS) looks after children with cancer and leukaemia who live in Plymouth, West Devon and East Cornwall. 

We work in a shared care arrangement with the departments of paediatric oncology, paediatric haematology, and bone marrow transplantation at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. Children with bone tumours and soft tissue sarcomas of the limbs undergo surgery at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham. Children with retinoblastoma are treated by the Barts & The London retinoblastoma service in London with support from the Plymouth Royal Eye Infirmary and DCCS.

We usually accept referrals of children aged up to 16 years however young people up to 18 years of age may choose to be looked after by either the children’s or adult’s service. Following the publication of “Improving Outcomes Guidance for Children and Young People with Cancer” our services for patients aged 16 to 19 and 19 to 25 are under review and are subject to change. 

Referrals: Elective referrals should be made via the 2 Week Wait arrangements or direct to Dr Wimalendra or Dr Turner (contact details here). Emergency referrals should be made by calling the general paediatric on-call team in the usual way.