rm magazine, autum 2011

magazine – autumn 2011magazine – autumn 2011

Life demands excellence

Delivering high-quality patient care in the local area

community Serving the

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

New developments at Sutton and Chelsea

CARING FOR YOUNG ADULTSTailoring the hospital

experience for teenagers

Hospital updates / Foundation news / Carer support / Great prizes / Staff stories

RM8_pp01_Cover_desfin.indd 1 25/08/2011 12:11

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. And when people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That’s why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

RM8_pp02-3_Mission_Cally_desfin.indd 2 19/08/2011 11:58

RMMagazine 03

executive notes

In this issue, we review all our recent redevelopment projects at both the Chelsea and Sutton sites (see page 12). From the brand-new Oak Centre for Children and Young People at Sutton, due to be opened later this month, to the Ambulatory Care Centre at Chelsea, which opened late last year, we have seen some world-class developments. We also look ahead to the latest projects, including the Centre for Molecular Pathology at Sutton.

We were delighted to announce our partnership with Sutton and Merton Community Services in the last edition, and this issue we speak to Adam Doyle, the new Divisional Director, and find out how he and his team are working across the community (see page 16).

We also have a Q&A on childhood cancers (see page 6) and discover how the new Teenage Cancer Trust Unit in Sutton (see page 15), which is due to open as part of the Oak Centre for Children and Young People later this month, will be run.

Consultant Clinical Oncologist Dr Nick Van As explains how the hospital will benefit from the installation of CyberKnife (see page 8). Funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, it is now up and running, offering the latest technology.

Finally, we are delighted to announce the total raised by the first Marsden March (see page 23). The event raised £824,426 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which is a fantastic achievement. I know next year’s event will be even better so pencil the 11 March in your diary now.

I hope you enjoy this issue.

Welcometo the autumn edition of RM, the Royal Marsden’s magazine for our staff, patients, carers and Foundation trust Members

“We hAVe SeeN WORlD-ClASS DeVelOPMeNTS AT bOTh The ChelSeA AND SUTTON SITeS”

Cally Palmer, Chief executive, The Royal Marsden

RM8_pp02-3_Mission_Cally_desfin.indd 3 19/08/2011 11:59

12

04 royalmarsden.nhs.uk

This issue

For The royal marsdenrachael reeve Director of Marketing and Communications – editorelaine Parr PR and Communications Manager – sub editorBelinda Payne senior Press Officer – sub editor

Catherine o’mara senior Press Officer – sub editor marie-Thérèse Wright Communications Assistant – Production Manager

Tell us what you think of the magazine or give us your suggestions for future issues. email RM. [email protected] or write to RM magazine, Press Office, The Royal Marsden hospital, 203 Fulham Road, London sW3 6JJ. Tel: 020 7811 8244.

For sundaylucy ryan editor James doorne sub editor Catherine hopkinson Art Director lindsay Williams Account Director matthew Beaven Creative Director

Toby smeeton Managing Director

RM magazine is published by The Royal Marsden hospital in partnership with sunday: www.sundaypublishing.com

Meet the RM team

05 Inbox Your letters and views.

06 Hospital news The latest updates and developments. 12 Building the future Catch up on the modernisation projects at our Sutton and Chelsea sites.

15 Spotlight on young patients Why teenagers and young adults benefit from a new, tailor-made service.

16 Working together How our partnership with Sutton and Merton supplies high-quality care. 19 The art of healing Discover the work of the Art Forum and its benefits for patients, staff and visitors. 20 A day in the life Meet Gina Brown and Erica Scurr from the Diagnostic Radiology team.

22 The Friends The latest from The Friends at both sites. 22 PCAG Patient and Carer Advisory Group news.

23 Fundraising Sign up for next year’s Marsden March and fabulous fundraising updates. 26 Staff news Awards, parties and Ofsted reports.

28 Foundation news Meet your new Trust Members.

30 Teabreak teasers Test yourself and you could win a prize.

xx

Contents

20

2316

You can now read

RM online! Visit

royalmarsden.nhs.uk

to download

your copy today

© The Royal Marsden 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without prior permission of the editor. The Royal Marsden and sunday accept no responsibility for the views expressed by contributors to the magazine. Repro by F1 Colour. Printed by scanplus.

RM8_pp04-5_Con&Letters_desfin.indd 7 22/08/2011 14:41

RMMAGAZINE 05

YOUR LETTERS

InboxYOUR HOSPITAL, YOUR VIEWSWe’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected] or you can write to us at RM, Press Offi ce, The Royal Marsden, 203 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ

Impeccable professionalismI am writing to tell you of the excellent treatment that my friend Michael Goodson

received from the staff at The Royal Marsden Hospital at both the Sutton and Chelsea sites.

Their professionalism was impeccable, and nothing ever seemed to be too much trouble for them. Michael was diagnosed with stomach cancer

in March 2010 and was referred to Mr Allum at The Royal Marsden’s Sutton site.

Mr Allum is one of the most courteous people I have ever had the opportunity to meet. He offered genuine warmth and understanding and his manner put Michael at ease instantly. Being seen by such a knowledgeable consultant helped alleviate any fears Michael had, and gave him confi dence in dealing with his cancer. I am glad to say that Michael’s operation was a great success and that, thanks to Mr Allum, all the cancer was removed.Sarah Ayres

Dear Ms Ayres, Thank you so much for taking the time to write to RM magazine. Your letter was sent on to me, and on behalf of the team, I would like to thank you very much for your kind words. Such positive feedback is most warmly received. I am delighted that you were both fully reassured during what must have been a diffi cult time for you. I will certainly pass on your comments and good wishes to my colleagues. Mr W H Allum, Consultant Surgeon

received from the staff at The Royal Marsden

STAR LETTER

Fundraising successI want to congratulate The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity on the spectacular amount raised at the first ever Marsden March. I was so pleased when I received the charity’s email announcing the total of £789,794.98 – an amazing achievement, which I hope will be matched next year.Alex Bramell, Royal Marsden Cancer Charity supporter

Dear Alex, Thank you – we were also delighted with the amount raised, which has now risen to £824,426, and we’re so grateful to everyone who took part. We hope to match and exceed this at next year’s Marsden March, and are pleased to announce the date of MM 2012 – Sunday 11 March. Registration will open on Monday 10 October at 10am. Thank you for your fabulous support and we look forward to seeing you there!Amanda Heaton, Community Fundraising & Development Manager

Positive stepsI was pleased to read in the last issue of your magazine that The Royal Marsden is now the provider of Sutton and Merton Community Services. As a supporter of the hospital and a local resident, I think this is a very positive step for the community.Lucy Bulmer, visitor

Dear Lucy, I am glad you enjoyed reading about Sutton and Merton Community Services in the last issue of RM – it’s always nice to hear that readers have enjoyed the articles. There is more information on this subject in this edition on page 16, which I hope is also of interest.David Probert, Chief Operating Offi cer

Great breakthrough It was wonderful to read about the recent major breakthrough in the treatment of melanoma and to see so much coverage in the national media. Any advances in the treatment of cancer are something to be celebrated, and I hope there are many more to come.Antonia Walsh, supporter Dear Antonia, Thank you so much for your letter. This is the fi rst time a personalised medicine has been shown to extend the lives of advanced melanoma patients. This is very encouraging and we were pleased with the coverage it received in the national press. It’s great to hear it was of interest to others too. We do hope that this is the fi rst step on the road to developing more effective treatments for this disease.Dr James Larkin, Consultant Medical Oncologist

WINWRITE & WIN!The writer of next issue’s Star Letter will enjoy £50 of John Lewis vouchers.For a chance to win, write to RM, Press Office, The Royal Marsden, Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3 6JJ or email your letter to [email protected] by Monday 19 September 2011. See p30 for rules of entry.

RM8_pp04-5_Con&Letters_desfin.indd 8 22/08/2011 11:53


Professor andy Pearson,

medical director, Cancer services.

september is Childhood CanCer awareness month. professor andy pearson explains

Childhood cancers

Cancer affects about one in 600 children.

“we are introducing new cancer treatments and offer a number of experimental treatments for children”

the royal marsden round-uphospital news, views and hot topiCs

How many types are there?after leukaemia, brain

tumours are the next most common cancers in children. lymphoma can also affect children, as can tumours such as neuroblastoma (arising in certain nerve cells), wilms’ tumour (in the kidney), soft-tissue sarcomas and bone tumours. teenagers sometimes get tumours similar to those in younger children or those seen in adults (such as melanoma, a skin cancer, or cancers in the head and neck).

What causes childhood cancers?most of the time, we don’t

know why an individual child gets cancer. occasionally there is a genetic cause within the family – but not usually. Quite often, genetic abnormalities are found in the tumour but not in other cells in the body. there are very few proven causes of childhood cancer.

How common is it?fortunately, childhood cancer is quite rare, affecting about

one in 600 children below the age of 15. each year, about 1,700 children in the uK are diagnosed with cancer.

What are the symptoms?the symptoms of childhood cancer vary depending on

what kind of cancer it is and which part of the body is affected. leukaemia is often associated with pallor, easy or spontaneous bruising, tiredness and fever. brain tumours often present with persistent headache, drowsiness, changes in gait or in the way the nervous system is working such as a new squint, weakness in the face or one side of the body, or difficulty swallowing – but this is highly dependent on where the tumour is located. other kinds of cancer most commonly present with a noticeable lump or lumps.

How is it diagnosed?leukaemia is usually confirmed by looking at

the bone marrow of the child, although there may be a strong suspicion from examining an ordinary blood film. brain tumours and other ‘solid’ tumours are normally diagnosed by taking a sample of the lump (a biopsy) for examination in the laboratory. we usually check the extent of the tumour or cancer in order to best plan treatment.

How is it treated?treatments are tailored to the type of cancer and the stage of

disease. chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are standard. most childhood cancers respond well to chemotherapy, so this is usually recommended. surgery and radiotherapy are commonly used for brain and other solid tumours, and are often combined with chemotherapy. some children will need a bone marrow transplant for leukaemia or high-dose chemotherapy, with stem-cell rescue for other tumour types. at the royal marsden, we are interested in introducing new cancer treatments and are able to offer a number of experimental drugs as part of our research into children for whom standard treatment hasn’t worked.

What is the success rate?it varies by tumour type.

overall, about 75 per cent of children with cancer can expect to be cured. the rates are even better for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, where more than 90 per cent of patients are cured.

What are childhood cancers? in children, the most

common type of cancer is acute leukaemia (cancer of the blood). cancer occurs when the normal controls governing the growth and division of cells in the body go wrong, allowing the multiplication of the cancerous cells that causes the symptoms of the disease. cancer affects people of all ages, but the types of cancers that occur vary according to age.

RM8_pp06-07_News_Childhood_Cancer_desfin.indd 9 22/08/2011 10:18

hospital newshospital news

RMMagazine 07

“it could change national and international practice, making treatment more effective with perhaps fewer side effects”

Professor Dearnaley is leading the trial of hypofractionated radiotherapy.

the royal marsden and the institute of cancer research (icr) are conducting the largest academic trial ever in prostate cancer. known as the chhip (conventional or hypofractionated high dose intensity modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer) trial, the treatment protocol for prostate cancer involves the participation of over 3,200 men.

standard radiotherapy consists of one daily treatment (a fraction), five days a week, for seven and a half weeks – a total of 37 fractions.

the trial compares different ways of administering ‘hypofractionated’ radiotherapy, delivering higher but fewer doses; the dose per treatment in the trial is higher than standard radiotherapy, but the overall dose over a course of treatment is lower.

in this trial, some patients have the standard 37 fractions, some will have 20 and some will have 19. the study aims to discover whether hypofractionated radiotherapy achieves better results.

“if the shorter fractionation schedules are successful, this will change national and international practice, making treatment more effective with perhaps even fewer side effects,” said the trial’s chief investigator, professor david dearnaley of the royal marsden and the icr. “it could also make radiotherapy more convenient for patients and use hi-tech radiotherapy resources to greater effect.”

radiotherapy has developed in recent years with the use of conformal radiotherapy, which shapes the beam to the exact treatment area and avoids contact with healthy tissue. intensity modulated radiotherapy (imrt) is one way of delivering such treatment. all patients in the chhip trial will have imrt.

the study has expanded to include groups of men selected at random to be given treatment with or without image-guided radiotherapy techniques. this is the first time this type of randomised trial has been performed internationally, and it has encouraged 18 uk centres to adopt advanced image-guided radiotherapy techniques. the trial has had considerable influence in improving the general quality of radiotherapy in the uk, with trial centres supported by the trial Quality assurance group.

a team from the BBc’s long-running science series horizon has been filming in parts of the hospital over the past few months.

the acclaimed documentary series will focus on the latest advances in cancer treatment and the science behind them in an episode that is scheduled to be aired in autumn 2011 or early 2012.

the film follows doctors and scientists at the royal marsden and the institute of cancer research as they work together to develop personalised medicine, and will show the drive towards making better, more targeted drugs and treatments.

Ground-breakinG prostate cancer trialhelping to pave the way for iMproved cancer treatMent

BBC’s Horizon films Hospital’s work

RM8_pp06-07_News_Childhood_Cancer_desfin.indd 10 22/08/2011 10:18


CyberKnife, the new robotic radiosurgery system at

The royal marsden, minimises damage to healthy tissue.

Below: dr nick Van as, Consultant Clinical oncologist.

CyberKnife gets to work The CyberKnife, the latest in radiotherapy technology, is now installed and up and running at The Royal Marsden. The hospital is one of the first NHS Trusts to install the latest model of the robotic tool, which offers precision-targeted cancer treatment. Dr Nick Van As, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and lead on the project, explains how it is making a difference.

“CyberKnife is at the forefront of radiotherapy treatment and we are thrilled to have it up and running,” says Dr Van As. “We treated our first patients in July and it was really exciting to be

able to design treatments around individual needs. It has reduced hospital visits and, in some cases, given patients an increased chance of a potential cure.

“The CyberKnife has X-ray cameras that monitor the position of a tumour and sensors which monitor a patient’s breathing. This enables the robot to continually reposition the radiotherapy beam, to minimise damage to healthy tissue. For example, lung tumours are not static, they move as patients breathe. CyberKnife tracks the patient’s breathing and the tumour moving.”

The CyberKnife, housed in a special bunker lined with radiation-proof material, works

very differently from conventional radiotherapy machines. Its robotic arm and image sensors track its moving target, delivering hundreds of radiation beams from various angles, and with pinpoint accuracy.

Because CyberKnife technology delivers large doses of radiotherapy far more accurately, patients need fewer hospital visits. For example, visits for lung cancer patients could be reduced from 30 to three; prostate cancer visits could drop from 37 to five; and visits for palliative radiotherapy could drop from 10 to one. CyberKnife is funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and it is hoped that the new system will treat 200 patients

in its first year of operation.CyberKnife is available for

suitable private and NHS patients who will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. As CyberKnife technology is new to the NHS, The Royal Marsden is conducting research into the benefits of the technology to prove that it should be available for all patients who might benefit. At the moment NHS patients will require individual funding approval.

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RMMagazine 09

2011 is the Year of Radiotherapy, marking 100 years since Marie Curie won her second Nobel Prize for her work on radium. This national initiative aims to help improve public understanding of the value of radiotherapy.

To support the Year of Radiotherapy, The Royal Marsden, in partnership with the National Radiotherapy Awareness Initiative, hosted a round-table discussion in July with representatives from key organisations involved in radiotherapy delivery, research, planning and education.

The event sought to highlight some of the issues regarding the future of radiotherapy, including the government’s commitments

to scale up the service, misconceptions about radiotherapy amongst both the public and healthcare professionals, and how new radiotherapy techniques and technology are improving outcomes for patients.

During the debate, the National Clinical Director for Cancer and End of Life Care, Professor Sir Mike Richards, called on healthcare professionals, commissioners and the Department of Health to work together to raise the profile of radiotherapy and deliver a more equitable, high-quality radiotherapy service for patients: “Both the public and indeed health professionals really aren’t very

familiar with radiotherapy. We’ve got to get across the message, radiotherapy really is one of the major treatments for cancer and can be curative, and we need to make sure that all patients who can benefit get modern treatment.”

The Royal Marsden Chief Operating Officer David Probert, said: “As a world-leading cancer centre, we have a role to play in starting a conversation about the future of radiotherapy in this country. Bringing this group together allowed us to debate these topics in a way that will ideally make healthcare professionals aware of the role they need to play in improving this service.”

RadiotheRapy on the Round table agenda

The Royal Marsden Hospital is working with Epsom and St Helier, Kingston, and Croydon University hospitals (the South West London Cancer Network) to help cancer patients who require urgent admission to hospital as a result of their illness or complications of treatment. Four new consultant posts have been created to bring the expertise of our centre to the bedsides of those admitted as emergencies and to provide patients with specialist oncology advice closer to home. It also allows colleagues in those hospitals to speed up diagnosis and streamline referral and treatment pathways within

the hospital and the network. Dr Marina Parton, Breast Cancer Consultant at The Royal Marsden, is leading the project. “We have worked closely with all our partners within the South West London Cancer Network to develop these posts to improve the care we provide for all our patients. There will be acute oncology offices and teams based at each of these hospitals, including The Royal Marsden, allowing ease of transfer of information. We hope this will further improve diagnosis and management of the complications of the disease and its treatment.”

Professor Sir Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer and End of Life Care; Professor Tim Maughan, Clinical Director of the CRUK/MRC Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, University of Oxford; Professor David Dearnaley, Professor of Uro-Oncology, The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research; Jan Balyckyi, Radiotherapy Service Director and Principal Therapy Radiographer, The Royal Marsden; and Dr Amit Bhargava, GP and Chair of the Crawley Commissioning Consortium.

experts at the round table discussion

ACUTE CARE ACROSS THE COMMUNITY

THIS JOINED-UP APPROACH ACROSS THE SOUTH WEST LONDON CANCER NETWORK WILL SPEED UP DIAgNOSIS AND STREAMLINE THE PATIENTS’ REFERRAL AND TREATMENT

Dr Marina Parton, Breast Cancer Consultant.

RM8_pp08-09_News_Cyberknife_Roundtable_desfin.indd 12 22/08/2011 10:20


PROJECT TO CRACK CANCER’s COdE

5,000

GP Education expands to a wider audienceThe GP Education Series, which started two years ago, continues to be a success and has expanded to offer a range of events and online learning, allowing hospital specialists to share our expertise with GPs.

In March we also launched a quarterly e-newsletter for GPs, GP Oncology Update (below). It features educational content and news about developments in service. The newsletter has reached more than 1,000 healthcare professionals around the country and complements our GP Education Days, one-day seminars covering diagnosis,

treatment and research. To date, we have held seven events; the next, in October, will teach GPs about upper and lower gastro-intestinal cancers – how to spot symptoms early, when to refer patients for investigation, and how to support those going through treatment.

For GPs who can’t attend the sessions, our online videos have been well received and feature on www.doctors.net.uk, an online community of 180,000 UK healthcare professionals. For more information, call 020 7811 8126 or visit www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/register

A pioneering project co-led by Professor Ros Eeles from The ICR and The Royal Marsden is working to identify key genetic faults that are driving prostate cancer. The project is one half of a wider work with Cancer Research UK to also identify the faults driving oesophageal cancers. Both projects will transform our understanding of the disease and lead to more targeted treatments.

Running as part of the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), the projects will scan the genetic code in 500 prostate and 500 oesophageal cancers, looking for each genetic mistake. Armed with this ‘blueprint for each cancer’ the researchers will pick out and target the genes that cause cancer with new drugs.

Professor Eeles, who co-leads the prostate cancer ICGC study with Professor Colin Cooper from The ICR, Professors David Neal and Douglas Easton from The University of Cambridge, Professor Chris Foster from The University of Liverpool and Professor Mike Stratton from The Sanger Institute, said: “One of the major challenges in treating prostate cancer is determining who needs aggressive treatment – some are slow growing and will never need treatment whilst others will develop quickly.

“By knowing the genetic differences we may be able to identify which men are at higher risk, so we can target treatment to those patients and potentially save thousands from unnecessary therapy.

“The second challenge is that the more aggressive prostate cancers can become resistant to current treatments. Knowing the genetic make-up of such cancers will help us take a targeted approach to develop new treatments for these cancers that would otherwise kill the patient.”

Professor ros eeles.

RM8_pp10-11_News_desfin.indd 13 23/08/2011 16:10


RMMagazine 11

GP Education expands to a wider audience

The £1 million Wallace Wing refurbishment project is underway. The project, funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, includes the refurbishment and extension of the ground floor of the Wallace Wing entrance and refurbishment of the Radiotherapy Department reception and waiting area on the lower ground floor. It will be phased over six months so that access to the wing is maintained.

The original entrance has been closed off and a temporary entrance has been created. Although wheelchair and patient transport access will be maintained, people are encouraged to use alternative entrances to the hospital where possible.

Gary Burkill, Head of Facilities, said: “The project will create a larger waiting area and new public toilet facilities and the Radiotherapy Department will have a revamped reception and waiting area.

“We hope that the disruption to staff and patients will be minimal. There will be a short period when the Mulberry Tree Coffee Bar service may be affected but we have developed a building schedule that completes the work in phases, allowing us to keep the hospital operational.”

Wallace Wing refurb

Radio Marsden raises fundsThe Outside Broadcast team at Radio Marsden has had a hectic summer, providing entertainment at festivals and fêtes around the local area. Highlights included the Banstead May Queen Fayre, the Sutton Community Play Day, which most schools in the borough attended, and the St Helier Festival, which had a military theme this year to coincide with Armed Forces Day.

Another highlight was on Sunday 10 July when the grounds of The Royal Marsden at

Sutton were turned into the Wild West as Radio Marsden staged the return of the Sutton Country Music Festival.

Six acts were showcased, bringing a day of live music to Sutton. Among the acts that appeared on the day were Kickin’ Country, Kevin Bull and from Nashville – the home of country music – Bobby D Sawyer.

All of the artists donated their time free of charge and all monies raised on the day went towards keeping Radio Marsden

broadcasting to the patients of the two hospitals.

If you missed the event, visit a special podcast of the day at www.radiomarsden.co.uk with pictures and exclusive backstage interviews.

If you’re considering hosting a live event, from a birthday party to a full-scale festival, contact Radio Marsden’s Outside Broadcast Co-ordinator, Neal Mullery. Call 0208 661 3083 or send an email to [email protected]

Radio Marsden’s Natalie Holiday joins forces with members of the Army at the St Helier Festival.Below: Sutton Country Music Festival star turns.

RM8_pp10-11_News_desfin.indd 14 24/08/2011 10:46


v

an informal atmosphere helps patients and their family to relax at the oak Centre for Children and young People at sutton.

RM8_pp12_15_Redevelop_Teenage_Q&A_desfin.indd 15 24/08/2011 10:56

RMMagazine 13

Hospital feature

As we come to the final stages of our Chelsea site rebuild, we are already looking forward to proceeding with another major redevelopment at our Sutton site. Plans are underway to modernise the south-west London health and science campus that we share with The Institute of Cancer Research.

Recent developments at Sutton include the creation of our £16 million Oak Centre for Children and Young People (OCCYP), which will open later this month. The 31-bed facility is set to treat more than 300 patients every year, which will make it one of the largest comprehensive children’s cancer centres in Europe. The newly increased capacity will also mean that we can treat more patients in a daycare setting.

Grand designs Next, we are building a £17 million Centre for Molecular Pathology dedicated to biomedical research; The Royal Marsden is one of 12 Biomedical Research Centres created by The National Institute for Health Research. This new building will bring together scientists and clinicians to further develop our leading molecular diagnostics service and to enhance our programme of personalised treatment and care for all our patients. It is due to open next year.

Also in the pipeline is the preparatory work for a new Clinical Treatment and Research Centre (CTRC), which will allow us to continue to modernise our patient services.

Modern solutions David Probert, Chief Operating Officer, welcomes the developments. “Modern cancer care is all about working in collaboration with patients and their families to provide expert care at home whenever possible, and when in hospital for as short a time as possible,” he says. “The new CTRC at Sutton will ensure that patients receive their screening and diagnostics in a modern, purpose-built environment. The CTRC is where we plan to bring together 21st-century diagnostic equipment,

leading cancer doctors, nurses and rehabilitation staff. The aim is

to provide a fast, effective and supportive diagnostic and therapeutic hub to the hospital. This new design ensures that outpatients and diagnostics are part of the whole hospital,

but that patients and families don’t need to enter

inpatient areas.”

Ease of access The project will transform the hospital’s layout. At the moment the outpatient wards are located at the front of the site, with diagnostics on a different floor. The proposed plans will bring outpatients and diagnostics, as well as research, under one roof at the back of the site. The main entrance will also move to the back of the hospital site.

“The idea is to relieve pressure on the front of the hospital site, which currently experiences significant congestion,” explains

Building for the future Major redevelopMent is underway as we eMbark on a five-year rebuild of our sutton site

“Modern cancer care is

all about experts collaborating with patients and their

families”



hospital feature

Dr Colin Rickard, Director of Projects. “With the Oak Centre for Children and Young People, the Centre for Molecular Pathology and the Clinical Treatment and Research Centre at the back of the site, patient activity will naturally move. So it’s sensible to look at moving the main entrance.”

The main Sutton site was built in the 1950s, with ancillary buildings added over the years. “Rebuilding in a working hospital environment involves complex programming,” says Dr Rickard. “It is necessary to ensure that the hospital remains operational and that patients receive the same high level of treatment throughout any work.

“The Sutton site will need to be updated in stages so that we can keep it operational while building work is carried out. It will take time, but it will be a very exciting project. The end result at Sutton will be a fantastic step forward for patients and staff.”

Completed Chelsea sChemes Ambulatory Care Centre Critical Care Unit Medical Day Unit Palliative Care ward CyberKnife Suite Granard House

(for private patients) Eight new operating

theatres

sutton projeCts Oak Centre for Children

and Young People Centre for Molecular

Pathology Rapid Diagnostic and

Assessment Centrelaying the foundations for the Centre for molecular Pathology at sutton.

The fun seating on the roof terrace at the oak Centre For Children and young People at sutton.

The newly refurbished private patient ward, Granard House, opened in August at our Chelsea site after a £6 million rebuild. It provides a comfortable, fully air-conditioned and bright environment, with 21 private en-suite rooms set across three floors. Each room has a unique layout intended to engender a sense of wellbeing and feel less like ‘being in hospital’. The natural materials, bespoke furniture and individual layouts create a calm, positive and restful environment. Patients’ needs are at the heart of the rooms’ design, giving them as much control over their environment as possible. In each room patients can access their own entertainment system, with TV and wi-fi internet access, and bedside lighting and temperature controls. There is also a large plasma screen at each bedside.

granard house

“The end result at Sutton

will be a fantastic step forward for

staff and patients”

see the next edition of rm for more information and photographs of our new private care facilities.


RMMagazine 15

Q&a

Where is the new Teenage Cancer Trust Unit in Sutton?

This dedicated inpatient ward for Teenage and Young Adults (TYAs) is directly above the new Children’s Unit at our Sutton site. It has been designed in partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) who influenced the design of the unit, ensuring an environment that is purpose-built with teenagers’ needs in mind. The unit has dedicated areas in both daycare and outpatients for our TYAs. We anticipate that daycare patients aged 16 to 18 will be cared for in this area, and that daycare patients aged

19 to 24 will also be offered the choice of being treated there. The location of outpatient clinics for our TYAs is expected to evolve to encourage clinic appointments to be made within the Oak Centre for Children and Young People.

When the new unit opens what will be the main differences

in how it is run?We have an existing team to serve the needs of TYA patients at The Royal Marsden. At the moment, patients aged 16 to 18 are usually managed on the Paediatric Unit, with our older patients under site-specific

Teenage cancer care

teams in adult wards, adult daycare and outpatients. Our new unit, which opens in October, will have a dedicated inpatient facility for patients aged 16 to 24. It will provide a real focus for the TYA patients, and will allow the service to develop to better meet the needs of this specific group.

Why are these changes taking place?The NICE guidance on

Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People with Cancer (2005), sets out national standards for this care. It recognises that young people with cancer are different from younger children and mature adults with cancer – not so much in terms of their cancers, but in terms of the environment and care that best meets their needs and prepares them for life beyond cancer.

What does this mean for patients and staff?Teenage patients will

be able to stay in an environment that is purpose-built with their needs in mind. This includes brightly coloured décor, bedside computers and TVs, a chill-out room and a spacious educational activities room, all of which have been influenced by our work with TCT. The aim is to create a relaxed environment that makes young people and their families feel at home and encourages them to interact with each other, with TYA team members and with the ward staff. Peer support is a key factor for young people with cancer, so in addition to informal

“ThE AIM IS TO CREATE A RElAxEd ENVIRONMENT ThAT MAkES YOUNg PEOPlE ANd ThEIR fAMIlIES fEEl AT hOME”

interaction on the ward and in daycare, we are planning regular facilitated peer support groups, a restricted-access facebook site for our TYA patients to use in hospital or at home, as well as co-ordinated activities for the patients, whether on or off treatment. The ward will also be a focus for medical teams, TYA team members and allied health professionals to come together to provide care.

Who will be involved in these changes?The changes will have a

big impact on the wider Trust as the service develops. Adult teams managing TYA patients on their own adult wards will now be able to manage those patients in an age-specific environment, and with the support of the dedicated TYA team. We anticipate real benefits both for our patients and for the medical teams. Junior doctors will need to become familiar with the TYA ward as they come in to support their team’s patients. We hope that both the paediatric and the adult site-specific teams will benefit from even closer collaboration as a result of interactions around our TYA patients.

Consultant PaediatriC onCologist dr Julia ChisholM on the Changes to the running of the teenage and young adult serviCe


RM8_pp16-19_Sutton_Merton_desfin.indd 19 25/08/2011 15:39

HOSPITAL FEATURE

RMMAgAzInE 17

Dr Vincent Khoo, Head of the Radiotherapy

Unit, discusses linear accelerator treatment

with a patient.

The Royal Marsden now provides Sutton and Merton’s Community Services, offering a diverse range of services within a number of different health and social care settings. Community and school nurses, health visitors, physiotherapists and sexual health clinics are among the many areas of Sutton and Merton Community Services (SMCS).

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to develop the division,” says newly appointed Divisional Director and former physiotherapist Adam Doyle. “There are a lot of challenges ahead, but I’m confident in the

staff’s dedication to finding innovative ways to deliver high-quality patient care and to continue the excellent integration of the services within The Royal Marsden structure.”

Children’s servicesFamilies with children from antenatal to school-leaving age receive support from health visitors and school nurses. This is delivered through home visits, GP practices, children’s centres and schools, and includes health promotion, developmental advice and safeguarding. The team offers developmental and needs assessment, supports services planning, and makes appropriate referrals.

SMCS offers respite services at Cedar Lodge for families of children with long-term disabilities and complex health needs. In addition, as part of an ongoing project to improve patient outcomes, SMCS has recently established a home-based outreach service,

which includes the use of children’s therapists.

Sexual healthThe Family Planning and Contraceptive Service has just extended its opening hours to increase access. A new service for psychosexual problems is available, and the facility also provides training for doctors, nurses and medical students in sexual and reproductive health. A specialist HIV nurse works within the service, focusing on adults and families of patients with symptomatic HIV and other blood-borne viruses.

Retinal screening for diabetics Diabetic patients are offered screening for ophthalmic complications. All diagnosed diabetics are invited to this yearly screening, and are referred to the appropriate service.

Community nursing District nurses provide care to

In APRIL THIS yEAR, THE ROyAL MARSdEn bEcAME THE PROvIdER OF SUTTOn And MERTOn cOMMUnITy SERvIcES. HERE wE FInd OUT MORE AbOUT THE SERvIcE And THE bEnEFITS FOR THE cOMMUnITy

Sutton and MeRton CoMMunITy SeRVICeS

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to develop the Community Services division”

Adam Doyle, Sutton and Merton Community Services Divisional Director.


HOSPITAL FEATURE

a large number of allied health professionals are deployed: there are 60 outpatient therapists, who treat a range of podiatric, nutritional, neurological, musculoskeletal and rheumatological conditions. The Community Neurotherapy Team has been a sector lead for stroke care for the last two years, and has a very successful Early Supported Discharge Team to help patients continue their rehabilitation at home. Another great achievement has been the Falls Service, where our co-ordinator has overseen a 30 per cent reduction in incidents since 2009.

Moving forwardSMCS will continue to develop links with primary care providers over the next year, with a particular focus on healthcare teams. The division is currently undertaking a stocktake of the estate, and will be looking to alter the ways our teams operate through use of mobile working. Essentially, we all aim to deliver the highest possible standard of patient experience.

18 royalmarsden.nHS.Uk

housebound adults, and also offer health education and patient support. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is provided in three ways: short-term home care, support for patients upon discharge from hospital, and ongoing care.

Community matrons and specialist nurses provide home-based care to help patients to remain independent and enjoy the best possible quality of life. They also provide advice and support to those who have complex long-term conditions such as diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and heart failure. District nurses also support patients at the end of their lives with palliative care needs.

Rapid responseFor patients who have to attend hospital, we have a rapid response service within the Accident and Emergency departments at St George’s Hospital and St Helier Hospital. This is a clinically effective service that has enabled vulnerable patients to be discharged back to their homes. Allied health professionalsAs with all community services,

Sutton and Merton Community Services and The Royal Marsden The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust was chosen as the preferred provider for Sutton and Merton Community Services. The contract began on 1 April 2011 and saw The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust take over management of local services from the Primary Care Trust.

“Community matrons and nurses provide home-based care to help patients stay independent”

smCs provides a wide range of community services.


RMMagazine 19RMMagazine 19

hospital feature

The Arts Forum is made up of representatives from the Friends of The Royal Marsden, the Patients and Carers Advisory Group, staff, artists and musicians. Their hope is to raise the spirits of those within the hospitals by providing various artforms for their enjoyment. Photography, music, poetry and artworks are all used to create the most positive environment possible.

The striking photographs in the new Critical Care Unit in Chelsea are an example of the difference that well- chosen artwork can make in a demanding clinical setting. Many patients have commented on how the art makes a positive difference to their regular visits or longer stays.

“Hospital buildings can feel strange and even intimidating,” said one patient, “but the vibrant colours of the paintings in the main corridors and the waiting areas can really lift my spirits. I particularly like the pictures in the new Medical Day Unit.”

Although the Arts Forum is primarily responsible for the artworks you can see around The Royal Marsden, it also organises other arts-based events. There are frequent music recitals in the chapel. The Reverend Alistair McCulloch, chaplain at The Royal Marsden Chelsea, first became involved with the forum through arranging music events in the chapel.

“Our chapel is a lovely venue for live music, with very good acoustics,” he says. “We are so excited that a generous private donor has recently offered to buy us a new grand piano, which will arrive shortly. We hope to have an inaugural recital featuring one of our brilliant young pianists from the Royal College of Music. We are also about to publish a leaflet of poems for the waiting room. Most of these are by familiar poets, and we are delighted that the former Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, has offered us one of his works too.”

The art of healinghow the arts foruM offers an inspirational creative environMent in our hospitals

“The vibrant colours of the paintings in the main corridors and

waiting areas can really lift my spirits”



Tessa renouf, senior staff nurse,

Pre-admissions & admissions Unit.

A day in the liferadiography is at the front line of detecting and treating cancer. erica scurr and dr gina

Brown discuss their working partnership

RM8_pp20-21_DITLife_desfin.indd 23 22/08/2011 10:44

a day in the life

RMMagazine 21

I am the cross-site lead for the delivery of all clinical and research MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) services at The Royal Marsden. A typical day starts at 8am when I get to work with the clinical and research superintendent radiographers, making sure that all the MRI scanners are staffed and adequately supported.

The first patient will arrive at 8.15am for an 8.30am appointment, which allows time for MRI safety checks and scan preparation. From this point on, I might be busy cannulating a patient, scanning, evaluating images, training or dealing with patient and staff management issues – and at the same time, making sure that the patients have the best possible experience that results in the highest-quality images.

MRI can be a challenging environment – it can be claustrophobic and very noisy. So there’s no greater satisfaction than when a patient arrives anxious about the procedure, but leaves us smiling and relaxed.

My days vary enormously, which is one of the great things about my job. My role involves constant interaction with our radiologists and other referring clinicians. For example, at the start of Gina’s clinical list, we will liaise over the patients.

Ours is a partnership of complementary knowledge: we are constantly learning from each other. Radiographers work at the forefront of imaging services, and I love the way my job allows new technology to make a real difference to patient experiences and treatment outcomes.

LeAd MRI SupeRInTendenT RAdIOGRApheR

Erica Scurr

I work as part of a large imaging team comprising 17 radiologists and more than 60 radiographers, across both the Sutton and Chelsea sites, as well as with physicists, radiography nurses and administrative support staff.

Our department (diagnostic Radiology) incorporates all aspects of oncological imaging including CT (computerised tomography) scanning, MRI scanning, ultrasound, general radiology, mammography and interventional radiology. We have six scanners, which generate an enormous amount of patient scans to analyse, so a typical day is very busy. For CT and MRI scans, I provide formal assessments of how well tumours have responded to treatment, and I monitor the status of patients that have completed treatment.

As well as reports of patients scanned within the hospital, I usually spend two to three hours preparing reviews of scans from other hospitals. This involves providing a radiology opinion on scans of newly diagnosed patients, which I then present at our multi-disciplinary team meetings in order to make therapeutic decisions. I also make sure

that I’m available to colleagues to discuss scans. All these interactions make my work so interesting and satisfying.

We are always trying to find ways to improve accuracy and personalise treatment, according to tumour risk and patient need. There are also days when I make time to write papers and develop research projects with my Md and phd students.

erica and I work closely across several areas. We support research students and radiographers and work with radiation and MRI physicists at both sites, to translate the latest developments in scanning into benefits to our patients. We’ve also taken part in national and international workshops, sharing our knowledge with other radiologists and radiographers.

Improved quality of life, survival and better disease control from improved planning can all be achieved by state-of-the-art imaging assessments of tumours.

There never seem to be enough hours in the day to do all I’d like, but it’s so rewarding to see the benefits in patient outcomes from our work.

COnSuLTAnT RAdIOLOGIST And hOnORARy SenIOR LeCTuReR

Dr Gina Brown

“I hAve TO MAke SuRe I’M ALWAyS AvAILAbLe TO COLLeAGueS TO RevIeW And dISCuSS pATIenT SCAnS. IT’S TheSe InTeRACTIOnS ThAT MAke My WORk SO InTeReSTInG And SATISFyInG”

RM8_pp20-21_DITLife_desfin.indd 24 22/08/2011 10:44

Organised and

run by volunteers

from the Patient and Carer

Advisory Group All comments will be treated

in confidence

No personal details will be recorded

Listening Post informally collects ideas, views and general comments

from patients, their friends, carers and families in order to help make

things better for patients. Our sessions take place in the hospital so

why not visit and share your thoughts about The Royal Marsden?

For further details please pick up a postcard from any reception in the

hospital or visit our website www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/listening

Listening Post informally collects ideas, views and general comments from patients, their friends, carers and families in order to help make things better for patients. Our sessions take place in the hospital so why not visit and share your thoughts about The Royal Marsden? No need to book, just pop along. Please see dates, venues and times overleaf.

Organised and run by volunteers from the Patient and Carer Advisory Group

All comments will be treated in confidenceNo personal details will be recorded

22 ROYALMARSDEN.NHS.UK

FRIENDS & PCAG

Over the summer, The Friends of The Royal Marsden, Sutton have been hard at work building their new website. The launch is imminent, so do keep an eye out on The Royal Marsden home page for the link to the new site at www.friendsoftheroyalmarsdensurrey.org.uk.

The site will offer a range of useful information, from details of Friends activities and how they raise their money, to interviews with volunteers and copies of their annual report. Jessica Dodwell, Chairman of the Friends, Sutton, said: ‘We are very excited about the project and hope that RM readers will visit the new site and find it both interesting and informative.”

Making musicThe Friends at Sutton continue to support Music Therapy at The Royal Marsden, and together with the Friends at Chelsea, have committed to funding 50 per cent of the costs of this service until May 2012. Music Therapy promotes wellbeing and social interaction and is tailored to the needs of patients. It is currently being trialled in the Bud Flanagan Unit in Sutton. The Friends are delighted to support this project, which has now been extended to the Teenage and Young Adult Unit in the Oak Centre for Children and Young People.

Heartfelt thanksIt is with great sadness that The Friends at Sutton announced the death of Mrs Joan Cripps on 14 July. Mrs Cripps retired from The Friends at the end of 2010 after giving 41 years of service, including 15 years as Chairman and six years as President. Mrs Cripps amazingly continued to work in the Friends’ office until her retirement at the age of 89. Herbert Cripps, Joan’s late husband, was Treasurer for 22 years, and their incredible dedication to The Royal Marsden and hard work in raising funds to benefit patients was recognised when the new lecture room was opened as the Cripps Lecture Theatre. Jessica Dodwell, Chairman, said: “I cannot imagine how many hours both Joan and Herbert gave to The Friends; they set a standard which will never again be matched.”

The Friends of the Royal Marsden Chelsea were lucky enough to be chosen as one of charities to benefit from the Cura Ball, held in May. This star-studded event at Englefield House in Berkshire was hosted by Justin Webb, presenter of Radio 4’s Today Programme.

Impressionist Rory Bremner warmed up the guests before a charity auction of nearly a hundred lots of ‘money-can’t-buy’ goodies, including the opportunity to be a zookeeper for a week and the chance to fly with a fighter pilot.

The event was an amazing success and raised more than half a million pounds, of which The Friends of The Royal Marsden will receive a third (the other causes supported by the Cura Ball are the Cancer Vaccine Institute and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

Our share will go to supporting the research of Professor David Cunningham, Head of the Gastrointestinal Unit. Wendy Crabb, Chairman of The Friends Chelsea, said: “We had great fun organising this huge event.”

Christmas is coming!It’s never too early to get organised for Christmas. Cards in aid of The Friends of The Royal Marsden, Chelsea are now in stock in our shop just next to the main reception on the Fulham Road. Do please pop in and buy some!

The Friends of The Royal Marsden round-up FIND OUT WHAT OUR DEDICATED FRIENDS HAVE BEEN UP TO

SUTTON New website launches CHELSEA Auction proves a success

The Cura Ball: Gina Webb-Bowen, Rory Bremner and Camilla Callander, Secretary to The Friends, Chelsea.

A new look for our Listening Post project was launched in July, with postcards left in patient waiting areas in both the Chelsea and Sutton hospitals. The Listening Post is a Patient and Carer Advisory Group (PCAG) initiative, which enables patients and carers to hear suggestions and make comments in an informal, confi dential way.

Every month, two PCAG members make themselves available in a public area of the hospital to hear suggestions and comments. The new postcards offer basic information about what PCAG is and how people can give anonymous feedback about their experiences to the hospital. The dates of the Listening Post sessions are included on the new postcards.

CHECK OUT YOUR NEW-LOOK LISTENING POST

RM8_pp22-25_Fundraising_desfin.indd 25 23/08/2011 16:33

RMMagazine 23

Join us to take on cancerget ready to book your place on next year’s Marsden March. you’ll enjoy a great day out, Make new friends and raise Money for the royal Marsden

Following the success of this year’s Marsden March, we’re pleased to announce that we are doubling the number of walkers who can take part next year. Join us for our second March on Sunday 11 March 2012 and help make it as great a day as the first.

The Marsden March is a 14-mile sponsored walk from our Chelsea site to our Sutton site – with all funds going directly to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. It’s a chance for staff, patients, their families and all our friends to come together and raise money to take on cancer. This year’s March was a day to remember – and raised a total of £824,426.

Professor Martin Gore, Medical Director at The Royal Marsden, said: “The atmosphere during the walk was fantastic. Everyone was really elated, happy and friendly. People who were not connected to the March came out of their houses clapping and smiling and saying, ‘Well done!’ It really was a terrific day.”

The actor Larry Lamb, who also took part in the walk, was equally impressed with the

turnout, good humour and support he met while marching: “Everyone was chatting, and I talked to all sorts of people along the way. It was wonderful.”

Amanda Heaton, Community Fundraising and Development Manager, is encouraging people to sign up to walk or volunteer for the next one: “This year’s March was such great fun. And as we had such a large number of people wanting to take part, we’re doubling the number of places for walkers next year.

“We were overwhelmed with the support we received from walkers, helpers and celebrities – in fact, our expectations were exceeded in every way. We can’t wait for the next one!”

“THE ATMoSPHERE WAS FAnTASTIC. EvERyonE WAS ELATED, HAPPy AnD FRIEnDLy”

fundraising

To sign up to walk or volunteer at next year’s Marsden March, please visit: www.royalmarsden.org/march. Registration opens on Monday 10 October 2011 at 10am.

Merry Marchers: just some of the supporters who made the

day such a success.


FUNDRAISING


Celebrate a life

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has committed to raising £2.3 million to build a new state-of-the-art Centre for Molecular Pathology (CMP) at our Sutton site. This is part of our plan to support The Royal Marsden’s commitment to providing and developing the best cancer treatment possible.

Patients with the same type of cancer can react differently to the same treatment, so tailoring care to each individual and the specific characteristics of their

tumour is key to treatment. The CMP will bring together

a range of specialists under one roof, to speed up the development of personalised treatments and to improve response rates to treatments both for our patients and for other cancer patients around the world.

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity exists solely to support The Royal Marsden Hospital. The Charity funds pioneering projects, such as the CMP, so

that the hospital can continue to provide and advance its world-class diagnosis, treatment and care for cancer patients. To watch a film about the CMP and its work, please visit www.royalmarsden.org/cmp.

For details of our latest appeal for the CMP and other projects, please visit www.royalmarsden.org. To kindly make a donation, visit www.royalmarsden.org/donate or call us on 020 7808 2233.

Funding plans in place for new Centre for Molecular Pathology

Christmas will be here before you know it, and our 2011 Christmas card range is now available. Look out for leafl ets around the hospital or visit our website at www.royalmarsden.org/shop. You can also buy your cards from our volunteers’ table in Sutton, the fundraising offi ce at Chelsea, and a number of local Cards for Good Causes outlets. There’s a wide selection of seasonal designs to choose from, and every penny of the cost of the cards you buy will go towards The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

ROYAL MARSDEN CANCER CHARITYCHRISTMAS CARDS

Christmas selection

2011

Christmas selection

2011

Every year, just before Christmas, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity holds an event to remember and celebrate the lives of our loved ones. It would be great if you could join us this year, at either our Sutton or our Chelsea hospital, and dedicate a star in honour of a person who is special to you. The name of your loved one will be hand-written on a gold star and hung on our spectacular Christmas trees.

The money raised from these celebratory stars enables us to make a real difference to the 40,000 patients The Royal Marsden sees each year.

This Christmas, your gifts will help us to fund vital, state-of-the-art buildings and equipment, as well as pioneering research into the prevention and treatment of cancer. The Christmas tree lights will be switched on at 6pm on 13 December in Sutton, and 15 December in Chelsea, before a short carol service to celebrate the lives of those we love.

For more information or to order, please call 020 7808 2259 or order your stars online at www.royalmarsden.org/star


RMMAGAZINE 25

FUNDRAISING

For many years, The David Adams Leukaemia Appeal Fund (DALAF) has been raising money on behalf of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity; to date, it has donated over a million pounds to research and building projects. This amazing achievement is thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Mandie Adams McGuire and her wonderful team of supporters. So far, £400,000 has contributed to funding a new haemato-oncology outpatients and daycare centre in Sutton, as well as a David Adams Leukaemia Library at both the Sutton and Chelsea sites. Given

THE DAVID ADAMS LEUKAEMIA APPEAL FUND GRACE BALL

Seven bikers have journeyed from The Royal Marsden to Santiago de Compostela in Spain and back, in just a week, to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The team, led by our own Dr Colin Rickard, Director of Projects (left), set off on 6 May, returning a week later.

“Since medieval times, El Camino de Santiago has been considered one of the most important pilgrimages in Europe,” said Colin. “We knew it would be a challenge to complete it within such a short space of time, but I’m delighted that we did. It was more than 1,500km, and at times I wasn’t sure we’d complete it in that time-frame.

“Having worked at The Royal Marsden for 17 years, it’s always a pleasure to raise money for the hospital,” he added.

To take up a sponsored challenge in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, please contact our fundraising team on 020 8770 0279 or email [email protected]

MAGNIFICENT SEVEN HIT THE ROAD TO TAKE ON CANCER

LEUKAEMIA APPEAL

Up for achallenge?

Our Challenge Events team can offer you a wide range of adventures, from walks along Hadrian’s wall, to cycling Vietnam, marathons to parachute jumps.

The list is (almost) endless.

Email [email protected] or visit www.royalmarsden.org/challenges

Registered Charity No. 1095197

Are you looking for excitement, new

experiences and a real sense of achievement?

OUR BRAND- NEW WEBSITE GOES LIVE The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has launched its new website. The site showcases the ways in which the charity supports The Royal Marsden, and the difference donations make to patients and their families. The charity’s newsletter, Progress, can be downloaded from the new site and there are also short fi lms about the latest events and appeals. It also highlights how to get involved with the latest fundraising events, and provides links to a variety of other ideas. It’s hoped that the site will inspire more supporters to go online. Visit www.royalmarsden.org

such generosity, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is delighted that DALAF continues to offer its outstanding support.

DALAF’s fundraising events are always lively and include the opportunity for you to play tennis or cricket, enjoy dances, music and gourmet meals, and more. For information about the current range of events, please email [email protected].

And don’t miss out on the next big event, the Fabulous Forties Grace Ball. This

glamorous ball will be held in London’s five-star Jumeirah Carlton Tower on 12 November. There will be a sparkling reception, dinner, cabaret and casino. The normal ticket price of £120 has been discounted to £100 for early birds who book before 12 October. For further details and to confirm your tickets, visit www.david adamsleukaemiaappeal.org



Outstanding Ofsted InspectIOn fOr Our play HOuse day nurseryStaff are celebrating after the Play House Day Nursery was judged to be ‘outstanding’ in a recent Ofsted inspection. The Sutton nursery, which provides care and education for the children of The Royal Marsden and Institute of Cancer Research staff, received a glowing report across all areas.

Nursery Manager Dawn Smith is thrilled with the report: “We are proud that our commitment to education and high-quality care has been recognised. We are delighted that Ofsted has judged us to be outstanding across all areas, which is testament to the hard work and skills of the nursery team, excellent support from parents and enthusiasm of the children.”

The report highlighted the effectiveness of the early years provision, management, quality of provision, and outcomes for children. Only 10 per cent of early years settings in the country have achieved this distinction, and Play House Day Nursery is the only full daycare nursery in the London Borough of Sutton deemed outstanding in all areas of care and education.

The inspectors’ praise included these words: “Children thrive in this nursery and have lots of fun because they are provided with excellent levels of care and make very good progress in their learning and development. They are full of confidence and are given lots of praise and encouragement.

“The nursery is led by a highly motivated and enthusiastic manager who ensures that monitoring and evaluation is an integral part of daily practice, which provides clear direction [and] ensures staff strive for excellent outcomes for children.”

Last year, the nursery won a staff achievement award in the Ensuring Quality category.

nursery staff with their staff award.

Nursery Manager Dawn Smith (above) has achieved a first in her BA degree in Education and Childcare. Dawn, who’s been with the Trust for three years, will be presented with her degree from Kingston University in October 2011. This achievement comes after the nursery was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted inspectors.

Dawn has worked in childcare for more than 20 years. She said: “It’s been hard work, but it’s wonderful to be able to put into practice here what I’ve learnt.”

RM8_pp26-27_StaffNews_desfin.indd 29 24/08/2011 11:00

RMMagazine 27

This year’s staff awards ceremony will take place once again at the Honourable Artillery Company Gardens in the City of London. The popular event will take place on Saturday 26 November and will take you on a superhero adventure! The superhero-themed evening will give guests the chance to don fancy dress and come as their favourite character, so expect lots of Supermen, Wonder Women and even the odd Hulk.

If you prefer not to embrace the superhero theme, you will also be welcome in your favourite party wear. The dinner and awards ceremony will be followed by a disco and entertainment including bumper cars and a casino.

Malvin Sayle, Events and Liaison Manager, said: “There’s really no dress code – we just want people to come and have fun!” For more information, please call 020 7808 2259.

Calling all Superheroes

superheroes get ready to party

The Royal Marsden holds its Annual General Meeting at 5pm on Wednesday 28 September. Staff, patients, carers and anyone with an interest in The Royal Marsden are welcome to attend the Julian Bloom Lecture Theatre (Chelsea site). If you would like to attend, please email Charlotte Turnpenny at [email protected] or call 020 7811 8126.

Come along to the agm

Fellowship honour for Professor David Cunningham Professor David Cunningham, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Head of the Gastrointestinal and Lymphoma Units, has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Fellowship of the Academy is awarded to those who have made exceptional contributions to the medical sciences that bring about advances in human health and welfare.

Professor Martin Gore, Medical Director at The Royal Marsden,

said: “This is a considerable honour and well deserved. It recognises David’s considerable and continuing achievements in developing new treatments for both lymphomas and gastrointestinal cancers.

“There are very few NHS consultants who are chosen to become Fellows of the Academy.”

“I am most honoured to be elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences,” said Professor Cunningham.

staff news

Professor David Cunningham.

RM8_pp26-27_StaffNews_desfin.indd 30 23/08/2011 16:39


Foundation trust members play a vital role in the Future oF the hospital. CatCh up with the new Governors and Find out how you Can Get involved

Building a Foundation

“I belIeve I can help others In the same sItuatIon”Stacey Munns

“If you have an Interest In the royal marsden, joIn as a member. It helps the hospItal stay connected wIth people who care” Dr Carol Joseph

Three new Governors have been elected onto our Council of Governors. Sam Greenhouse, Head of the Foundation Trust Office, welcomed the new recruits and thanked all who took part in the election: “We look forward to working with them to ensure the views of members are represented at the highest level.” Here, our new Governors talk about their lives and experiences, and what they hope to achieve in their new roles.

six years ago, I was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer and treated at the royal marsden. following major surgery and chemotherapy, my doctors and I are hopeful that the disease has been beaten, although I still attend the hospital for regular check-ups.

as a patient Governor, I hope to use my experience to help provide an even better patient experience. being involved with

the hospital will provide an interesting contrast to my profession. I am a corporate lawyer, but have also worked in corporate broking and the regulation of listed companies in the city. I live in putney with my husband and three children, and I look forward to working with the council of Governors and representing patients living in south-west london.

as is the unfortunate case for many, my immediate family and I have been affected by cancer over the years. my current link to this disease is through my daughter-in-law. I am a recently retired consultant

public health epidemiologist with 25 years of national and international experience and expertise in respiratory diseases, and have led several management and research projects. I live in south Kensington. having gained great satisfaction in my professional life, I’m keen to support vital national health issues at the local level. I believe that improving the life expectancy and prognoses for cancer patients is one of the main health goals of our society. a simple and ideal way to show your support for the hospital is by becoming a member, and I’d recommend anyone with an interest to join.

Fiona Stewart, patient, South West London

Dr Carol Joseph, public, Kensington & Chelsea

Stacey Munns, patient, Paediatric & Adolescent

Fiona stewart dr Carol Joseph stacey munns

when I was 18 years old, I was diagnosed with alveolar soft tissue sarcoma, but I was fortunate to have the royal marsden to look after me. I got involved with the paediatric and adolescent unit through teenage cancer trust events. my aim as a Governor is to make a difference by using my experiences as a patient and sharing my ideas. I am an occupational therapist, but I’m passionate about cancer care and I have participated in many initiatives to raise awareness. the trust’s investment in services for younger patients is fantastic, and I want to ensure that paediatric and adolescent patients have a voice.

The Council of Governors meets four times a year and has the following roles:• Guardianship: ensuring that The Royal Marsden operates in a way that fits its statement of intent and terms of authorisation• Strategic: advising on the longer-term direction to assist the Board of Directors in developing future strategy• Advisory: providing the Board and Management Executive with stakeholders’ views to inform planning and decision-making.

“as a Governor, I want to GIve somethInG bacK to the hospItal that helped me when I really needed It” Fiona Stewart

RM8_pp28-29_Foundation_News_desfin.indd 31 22/08/2011 10:54

RMMagazine 29

your questions about becoMing a MeMber of the foundation trust and council of governors answered

How can I become a Member of the Foundation Trust?

A simple way of showing your interest in The Royal Marsden is by joining our growing community of Members. Simply pick up and complete a form from the hospital, join us online or telephone the Foundation Trust Office.

Why should people become Members? Members receive a copy

of RM magazine and there are plenty of opportunities to become more closely involved if you wish to do so. The Members’ events provide an opportunity to meet with others, to hear about the amazing advances the Trust has been making, and find out about our plans for the future.

When is the next chance to become a Governor?We have a programme

of elections which allow Members to stand for election to the Council, depending on which constituency class is due. The next opportunity for Public Members in the Elsewhere in England constituency class will be in January 2012. All eligible Members will receive information during November.

I’m a Sutton and Merton Community Services patient. Can I still

become a Member?

Yes, membership of the Foundation Trust is open to all our patients and members of the public who are over the age of 16 and live in England.

How does the work of the Trust involve the wider community?

As a Foundation Trust, The Royal Marsden is accountable to the people in its local communities. Our Membership and our Governors are a key route through which this accountability is made real. Local Involvement Networks (LINks) exist to act as conduits between the local community and various public bodies. They are also made up of interested members of the public and have a role in scrutinising the work of healthcare and other public organisations. We are grateful for the support and advice we have received from the Kensington & Chelsea and the Sutton LINks.

What projects have the Local Involvement Networks been involved

with most recently? Earlier this year, both the Kensington & Chelsea and Sutton LINks organisations were invited to attend the Members’ event that focused on our areas for improvement in 2011 and 2012. Through their involvement in responding to the Trust’s Quality Accounts, the LINks have expressed an interest in learning more about

the feedback we get from our patients. As such, the Governors will formalise the working arrangements by co-opting them onto the Patient Experience Feedback Group, which is attended by Governors and Matrons at the Trust and reviews the plans for, and results from, patient feedback, through frequent surveys and other means. We look forward to working with representatives from both LINks to maintain an ongoing relationship for the benefit of the core communities of our Trust.

When is the next The Royal Marsden Annual General Meeting?

The next Annual General Meeting takes place at 5pm on Wednesday 28 September 2011 in the Julian Bloom Lecture Theatre, The Royal Marsden Conference Centre, Stewart’s Grove, Fulham. If you are interested in attending, please contact Charlotte Turnpenny on 020 7811 8126 or email her at [email protected]

who your governors are

Governor contacts

Paediatric and Adolescent: Stacey Munns South West London: Anita Gray, Fiona Stewart, Raelene Salter, Edward CrockerEast Elmbridge & Mid-Surrey: Dr James Laxton, Chris PelleyGreater London: Dr Geoff Harding, Hilary BatesonElsewhere in England: Sally Mason, Vikki Orvice

Lesley-Ann Gooden, John Preston, John Howard

Kensington & Chelsea: Dr Carol Joseph Sutton & Merton: Tony HazeldineElsewhere in England: Ann Curtis

Doctor: Professor Ian SmithNurse: Lorraine HydeOther clinical professional: Nina KiteNon-clinical: Kim Andrews

Institute of Cancer Research: Professor Keith WillisonPrimary Care Referrer: Dr Chris ElliottSouth West London Cancer Network: Alison HillWest London Cancer Network: vacantLondon Borough of Kensington & Chelsea: Councillor Robert FreemanSutton & Merton PCT: Dr Martyn WakeCroydon PCT: vacantNHS Kensington & Chelsea: Mable WuSurrey PCT: Michael MuntCancer Research UK (charity): Dr Sally BurtlesUniversity Partner: vacant

Contact us If you have any questions or would like to become a Member, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with the Foundation Trust Office on 0800 587 7673 or email us at [email protected]

PATIENT GOVERNORS

CARER GOVERNORS

PUBLIC GOVERNORS

STAff GOVERNORS

NOmINATEd GOVERNORS

MAke A dATe IN youR dIARy The next dates for the Council of Governors meetings are: 13 September 2011: Cripps Lecture Theatre, Downs Road, Sutton. 5 december 2011: Board Room, Fulham Road, Chelsea.

foundation news

Contact the Foundation Trust officeFreephone: 0800 587 7673Telephone: 020 7808 2844Email: [email protected] Website www.royal marsden.nhs.uk/membership

RM8_pp28-29_Foundation_News_desfin.indd 32 22/08/2011 10:54

TEABREAK TEASERS

ACROSS1 Small Australian marsupial (6)4 Platform for speaking or dancing (6)6 Makes sour or aggravates (9)11 Round chart, maybe fi lled with apple or cherry (3)12 A brief appearance on stage by known personality (5)13 Copy like a monkey (3)14 Tool to chop wood (3)15 Shy and reluctant (3)16 Sleepy (9)18 Department of Social Security in brief (3)19 André-Marie Ampère’s short electrical current (3)21 Roadside tavern (3)22 Gold bar (5)24 Dynamic twosome (3)25 A phylum of worms – neat modes (anag) (9)29 Outcome (6)30 Sloped font (6)

DOWN1 Ionised matter (found in TVs) (6)2 Fluid pouch (3)3 1986 Soviet space station (3)4 Small, green legume (3)5 Deep unhappiness (6)6 Rise to a higher position of power (9)7 Deciduous tree (3)8 One who studies life and organisms (9)9 Make gentle mockery (5)10 Watches an event (9)17 Half a musical note (5)18 Come to a conclusion (6)20 Type of stomach ulcer (6)23 Deity (3)26 Appropriate (3)27 Kimono sash, surely for Mr Wan Kenobi (3)28 Period of time (3)

PRIZE DRAWS & STAR LETTER TERMS & CONDITIONS: 1. The Prize Draws and Star Letter are open to all readers of RM except employees of the Press Offi ce at The Royal Marsden and Sunday, who produce RM magazine. 2. The closing date for receipt of all entries is Monday 19 September 2011. Only one entry per person per draw. 3. Responsibility cannot be accepted for entries which are incomplete, illegible or not received. Proof of posting is not proof of receipt. No cash alternative is available and prizes are not transferable. Value of prizes is correct at time of going to press. 4. Winners will be notifi ed by post within 14 days of closing date. 5. The Promoter’s decision on any aspect of the promotions is fi nal and binding and no correspondence will be entered into. 6. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value should circumstances make this necessary. 7. Entry implies acceptance of rules. 8. The winner of the £50 of John Lewis vouchers is the sender of the best letter selected by RM magazine. 9. The winner of the Teabreak Teaser prize of £50 of John Lewis vouchers will be the fi rst correct entries drawn out of the bag. 10. The Promoter is The Royal Marsden Hospital, 203 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ.

The lucky winner of our prize crossword will receive £50 of John Lewis vouchers. Send your completed crossword with your name and contact details to RM, Press Office, The Royal Marsden, Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3 6JJ. The closing date for entry is Monday 19 September 2011. See below for prize draw rules.

Win!

Give your brain a workout and you could be the lucky winner of John Lewis vouchersTest your wits

PRIZE CROSSWORD

AND THE WINNERS ARE…CONGRATULATIONS TO MR T E DRIVER, THE WINNER OF LAST ISSUE’S CROSSWORD COMPETITION, WHO WILL RECEIVE £50 OF JOHN LEWIS VOUCHERS. AND WELL DONE TO SARAH AYRES, WHO WINS OUR STAR LETTER PRIZE OF £50 OF JOHN LEWIS VOUCHERS.

SUDOKU


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2

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22 2321

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11

14 15

18 19 20

24

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RM8_pp30_Puzzles_desfin.indd 33 22/08/2011 10:57

RMMagazine 00

hospital news

...RM magazine brings you the latest hospital updates, inspiring stories, exclusive interviews, news, plus staff stories and events Here’s a taster of next issue’s hot topics: The Oak Centre for Children and Young People official opening CyberKnife treats first patients at Chelsea Granard House private care facilities update

Plus: The latest hospital updates, staff news and moreComing to you in November 2011

We hope you enjoyed the autumn issue of RM. The winter issue is coming soon...

Kate Hall, Matron and Service Manager for Private Care, Granard House.

RM8_pp31_IBC_desfin.indd 31 22/08/2011 10:58

Registered Charity No. 1095197.

Sunday 11th March 2012

Let’s walk togetherto take on cancer

Register for The Marsden March from 10 Octoberwww.royalmarsden.org/march

Cancer. It’s a word we all dread to hear but a word we hear all too often. At The Royal Marsden our staff, patients, family and friends face cancer everyday. Over the years we’ve realised that when we take on cancer together, we’re stronger and our first Marsden March proved just how powerful we can be together.

So on Sunday 11 March 2012 we are walking again and with twice as many places – we need 4000 people to walk with us.

Join us, put your best foot forward and walk the 14 miles between our Chelsea and Sutton hospitals. Together we can continue to stand up to cancer each and everyday. Walk with us, raise money and together we’ll take on cancer.

RM8_pp32_OBC_desfin.indd 32 22/08/2011 10:59

rm magazine, autum 2011

Documents

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