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Date issued:August 2022

Review date: August 2024 

Ref: Ref: A-314/oncology/SH/Department of Gynaecology v5

PDF:  Department of Gynaecology oncology final August 2019 v2.pdf[pdf] 881KB

The Gynae Oncology Team at Derriford Hospital

The Plymouth Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) has a large team of specialists dedicated to providing first class care to patients with Gynaecological cancer. The team includes:

The Clinical Gynaecology/Oncology team

Mr A Talaat:  Surgeon

Mr T Hookway: Surgeon

Dr M Highley: Oncologist

Dr S Dubey: Oncologist

Dr H Simonds: Oncologist

Dr S Hamilton: Radiologist

Dr M Bramham: Radiologist

Dr P Williams: Radiologist

Dr A Oriolowo: Histopathologist

Cancer Nurse Specialists: Nikki Calder (Lead), Stephanie Tunnicliff, Emma Cooper

Support Worker: Debbie Wills

MDT Co-ordinator: Victoria Kennington

The team meets weekly, to agree individual treatment plans. Following the meeting, you will be seen in the clinic by your Consultant where your treatment plan will be discussed with you and your family. A copy of this treatment plan will be sent to your GP and offered to you. Your CNS will also offer a Holistic Needs Assessment and Care Plan.

Gynae Cancer Nursing Service

Your Gynae Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists are part of the multidisciplinary team working towards improving the quality of care for people with Gynae Cancer.

Our CNS Key workers are available to:

• Help co-ordinate your care from diagnosis to treatment and through to follow up care

• Be a familiar face who can provide support for you and your family

• Provide information on tests, investigations and treatment options

• Offer support and advice on symptom control

• Provide a link to other professionals and support services

• Provide individual holistic needs assessments for patients as required

Your Clinical Nurse Specialist Key Worker

Can be contacted

Monday – Friday

08:30am – 4.00pm

01752 437296

As we are often in clinic or on the wards there is an answer phone service Monday to Friday. Please leave your name, hospital number, telephone number and one of us will get back to you as soon as we are able.

Some useful contact details

Mustard Tree, level 3, Macmillian Cancer Support Centre, for benefits advice, practical and emotional support on 01752 430060.

A member of the Living With & Beyond Cancer Team works with the Cancer Nurse Specialist to provide support and sexual/relationship needs.  Speak to your CNS who will be able to refer you.

Macmillan Cancer Support:

Information officers provide information, emotional support and practical advice by telephone or letter. Also provide information in booklets, fact sheets, a newsletter, website and CD-ROM.

Cancer information Freephone: 0808 800 000

Website: www.macmillan.org.uk

Ovacome:

A support organisation for women with ovarian cancer.

St Bartholomew’s Hospital

West Smithfield’s London, EC1A 7BE

Tel: 0707 1781 861

Website: www.ovacome.org.uk/ovacome

E-mail: ovacome@ovacome.org.uk

Target Ovarian Cancer

Tel: 0207 9235470

Email: info@target.ovarian cancer.org.uk

V.A.C.O:

Support for women diagnosed with cancer of the vulva

E-mail: vulvacare@yahoogroups.com

Jo’s Trust

Support for women diagnosed with cancer of the cervix

Website: www.jotrust.co.uk

Cancer Research UK:

A national information service for all types of cancer.

Angel Building, 407 St Johns Street, London, EC1V 4AD

Tel: 0808 800 4040

Winston’s Wish:

Guidance and information for families of bereaved children, supporting bereaved children and young people.

Tel: 0845 203 0405

Website: www.winstonswish.org.uk

Jeremiah’s Journey

Office 33 Stonley Court, Mary Seacole Road, The Millfields, Plymouth PL1 3JY

Tel: 01752 424348

Patient Information:

The Planned Care Assessment Unit: Main Outpatients Level 6

Following your consultation with the consultant they may have decided that you need an operation. To assess your suitability for this operation you will need to attend The Planned Care Assessment Unit, Main Outpatients, Level 6.

Why do I need an Assessment?

The Assessment Unit is primarily a nurse-led clinic and has been set up to check that you are medically fit for your surgery. Various tests will be carried out depending on the operation that you are having. For example your weight, height, blood pressure, MRSA screening. If appropriate, an ECG and blood test will also be carried out.

If you have diabetes, please inform the receptionist and ensure that you have a snack with you as you may be there sometime. Refreshments are available throughout the hospital.

You will find that the Unit is very busy with several different clinics happening at the same time and therefore if some patients do not appear to be waiting very long and are seen before you, this is because they are booked into a different clinic.

Although we are busy we understand that it can be very worrying and frustrating waiting and we will try to keep you informed of any undue delay.

Please remember:

• If you have any questions or concerns please speak to the receptionist who will try to help

• The waiting area is equipped with a cool water fountain and a hot beverage machine

• Opening times are 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, telephone 01752 439067.

Patient Information: Ocean Ward

Ward locations for operational purposes are occasionally changed. Always confirm with your consultant what ward you will return to after surgery.

If you require surgery normally you will be a patient on Ocean Ward Level 6

Ocean Ward is a Woman’s Health ward. If you require any assistance while you are on the ward, please don’t hesitate to ask a member of the Ward Team.

Your comments

If you have any comments about the care or service provided on the ward or ideas for improvement, please do let us know.

Ward Philosophy

Our aim is to provide care and support for females who have gynaecological problems and their families. This will be done with dignity and respect at all times, in a clean and welcoming environment.

Ward Visiting Times

The ward is open to visitors from 07.30 hrs – 22.00 hrs. In order to prevent the ward getting over crowded, visiting is restricted to two people per patient, at any one time.

Hand Hygiene

Please use the hand gel when entering and exiting the ward.

Telephone Calls

For general information: (01752) 439880/431788. Mornings and mealtimes are the busiest times on ward. Doctors’ ward rounds aren’t normally completed until late morning. It would therefore be appreciated, and hopefully more informative to you, if you could try to leave non-urgent calls until after 11am and avoid ringing during mealtimes.

To speak to the patient personally: use Patientline. This service also provides hospital radio, internet and television. Telephone cards are available on every floor of the hospital. There is a charge of 10p/min to phone out. To phone in; the cost is 39p per min between 7pm-7am and 49p/min at all other times.

Patient Information: Ocean Ward

Mobile phones

Please note that the use of mobile phones is allowed on Ocean Ward.

Doctors’ Ward Rounds

A consultant or one of their team will see you every day during the week. At the weekend there are always doctors on call to see you if it is necessary.

Due to confidentiality, a patient’s diagnosis cannot be discussed over the telephone.

If you have any concerns regarding your discharge arrangements or care, please let the Doctor or Nurse know as soon as possible.

Valuables

Please do not bring valuables into hospital. If this is not possible, give them to your nurse for safe keeping. Remember the hospital does not accept responsibility for loss or damage to any personal property you chose to keep with you.

Hearing Aids, False Teeth, Walking Aids

Please inform one of the nursing team if you (or your relative/friend) normally use a hearing aid, false teeth or walking aid. Please label items appropriately.

Please be aware that flowers are not allowed onto the ward due to Infection Control risks.

Meal Times:

Breakfast                    08:00 am

Morning Coffee           10.30 am

Lunch                          12 midday

Afternoon Tea             14.30pm

Evening Meal              18:00pm

Drinks are available at any time, including supplementary drinks such as build-up soups and milkshakes, Ensures® and Enlives®. Please inform us if you require a “little and often” diet so the housekeeper is aware. If you would like to meet a Dietitian please ask the nursing staff.

Your follow up and discharge arrangement

Following your treatment you are likely to be seen at regular intervals in the joint gynae oncology clinic, for 3 to 5 years or more depending on your disease, after which time you will be discharged. Our CNS team may provide a portion of that follow up monitoring for certain patient groups.

Patient Information

Free Parking

The following groups are entitled to free parking:

• All registered disabled patients who hold a disabled badge or drivers who are transporting a patient who holds a disabled badge

• Parents who are staying with their children in hospital or parents whose babies are being cared for in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• Relatives of those patients who are being cared for on the national End of Life Programme.

If you qualify under any of these groups, please go to the parking helpdesk located in the main Entrance foyer or contact 01752 763949 (internal extension 5394) to obtain your special parking permit.

Concessions

In addition, concessionary tickets are available:

• Discounts are available for stays of a week or longer:

  • £24 for a 5 day ticket (2 days free parking)

  • £32 for a 7 day ticket (3 days free parking)

  • £96 for a 1 month ticket (7days free parking)

All concessionary tickets can be shared between different vehicles. For more information on these concessions either:

• Ring 01752 432000

Or

• Go to the parking helpdesk in the main entrance

Patients with a cancer diagnosis attending the hospital are entitled to reduced rate parking. Please speak to the parking desk or ask your Nurse Specialist.

Patient Information

Smoking

Derriford Hospital operates a strict smoke free policy. Smoking is not permitted inside any of the trust’s premises or anywhere in the grounds. Patients, members of the public and staff are not allowed to smoke on trust sites. There is nowhere to smoke on any of the trust sites i.e. no smoking shelters.

Plymouth NHS Stop Smoking Service: 01752 314040 Ext 41040 or NHS Smoking Quit Line 0800 169 0169

If you do not want to stop smoking but would like some nicotine replacement therapy to make your stay more comfortable, please ask your ward staff.

Use of mobile phones in hospital

Please note that mobile phones maybe used in many designated areas of the hospital.

Areas where mobile phones can be used will be clearly signposted. Public telephones are available in the main concourse level 6 and in many other departments throughout the hospital.

Students

We are a teaching hospital and medical students may be with qualified doctors during your appointment. Please tell us if you do not want them to be present. This will not affect the standard of care you are given.

Personal Food

Cold snacks, biscuits, juice etc. can be bought in for patients but please don’t use glass containers. Due to health and safety regulations, meals brought in can’t be warmed through.

Accommodation for Relatives

The Lodge

The Lodge in Plymouth provides accommodation for relatives, friends and carers of patients undergoing treatments in Derriford and any of the local hospitals, including the Peninsula Treatment Centre and the Nuffield. Our accommodation is of a very high standard at affordable prices.

The Lodge also provides accommodation for patients who are admitted to Derriford on the day of their planned surgery, but who live too far away to travel on the day.

In addition to this there are self-catering facilities and breakfast is provided. There is a small but excellent team who are both helpful and supportive. The Lodge is within walking distance of Derriford Hospital and a courtesy bus is provided for guests during the week at specified times.

Healthcare professional attending courses or interviews are also welcome to stay.

The Lodge is also convenient for relatives of patients transferred to Derriford for treatments from other hospitals in Devon and Cornwall, including Torbay, Exeter, North Devon and Treliske.

The Lodge is situated on the edge of a local Nature Reserve. Take a stroll through our gardens or relax on the Balcony, taking in the beautiful views.

For further information please phone 01752 315900. We will be pleased to answer any of your queries.

The Lodge

Blunts Lane

Derriford

Plymouth PL6 8BE

Telephone 01752 315900/315930

Fax: 01752 315913

www.thelodgederriford.co.uk/

Patient Information

Advice and information

If you have any concerns about the care you or a relative has received please contact PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service). They will discuss how they can help and work with other hospital staff to resolve your problem.

PALS office is located on level 6 (Welcome Centre)

PALS are available Monday – Friday from 09:00- 17:00.

They can also be contacted by phone (01752) 439884 or 432564.

Supported Transport

As this is a very limited service, priority is given to vulnerable people in isolated and rural areas. You may qualify if you:

Do not have or are unable for medical reasons to travel in your own transport and cannot be driven to your healthcare appointment with friends, neighbours or relatives and are medically unable to use public transport, or this is not practical due to your isolated or rural address and without transport you will be unable to keep your hospital appointment.

Please telephone TAP (Transport Access Patients) on 08450 539100 for Devon and 01872 223388 for Cornwall between 9.00am and 4.00pm weekdays (excluding bank holidays).

Booking requests need to be received at least 48 hours before your appointment but no more than 14 days in advance.

How much will it cost?

TAP will endeavour to book the cheapest, most appropriate transport for your needs (subject to availability). There will be a cost incurred for this service.

Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme

You may qualify for help with transport costs, through the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme, if you travel by the cheapest means of transport which is reasonable for you to do so and if you are in receipt of:

• Income support

• Income based job seekers allowance

• Working Tax Credit with Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit with a disability or severe disability element

• Child Tax Credit(if the award letter confirms income is below the relevant threshold)

• Pension Guaranteed Credit

To claim reimbursement, proof of the qualifying benefit and transport receipts should be presented to the Cashiers Office at the Hospital Level 7.

Transport

Buses and Public Transport

There is a public ‘park and ride’ site north of the hospital at the George junction (opposite the George pub). It is open from 6.30am to 6.30pm and parking is free, you will need to purchase a ticket to travel to the hospital on the bus which stops directly outside the main entrance of the hospital. This service leaves the park and ride every 20 minutes at 05 minutes, 25 minutes and 45 minutes past the hour. This is ideal for patients and visitors travelling from the north of the city to Derriford Hospital.

Most buses are accessible by wheelchair. Patients who receive certain benefits can claim a refund from the Cashier (level 7, Derriford Hospital).

Bus timetables can be obtained from the Civic centre, from public libraries and from First Bus and Citybus travelshops. Timetables are also available at Derriford Hospital foyer.

For bus times, call Traveline on 0871 200 2233.

Plymouth rail station is also close to the bus routes, giving access to the hospital.

For timetable information, call National Rail enquiries on 0845 748 4950.

Taxis

You can phone Taxi Fast free from the Derriford hospital foyer on 01752 222222. There are several other taxi providers, some of which have vehicles that patients can board without having to get out of their wheelchairs.