
Oncology Cancer Centres in the NHS
16 Jun, 202310 Minutes
The UK’s National
Health Service provides life-saving treatments to millions of patients
annually, including those with cancer. The NHS works hard to diagnose and treat
all types of cancer with the goal of improving the prognosis of every single
patient. Between November 2021 and October 2022, the NHS treated over
320,000 cancer patients.
The NHS doesn’t just
screen, diagnose, and treat cancer patients; it’s also at the forefront of
medical innovation. Oncology cancer centres in the UK take part in numerous
clinical trials helping to discover new medical treatments, many of which help
with cancer detection and treatment. Fortunately, these clinical trials have
had a major impact on cancer patients, with the UK’s cancer survival rate
having doubled
in the last forty years. Nowadays, when someone is diagnosed with cancer, it
isn’t an instant death sentence – thanks to medical breakthroughs, cancer
patients have a much better prognosis.
If your goal as an
oncologist is to provide top-quality cancer care to patients while being a part
of brand-new cancer drugs and therapies, then working for the NHS is an
excellent option. In this article, you will learn about the setup and infrastructure
of NHS cancer services, including a deeper look into five of the biggest
oncology centres.
Cancer Centres in the NHS
You’ll find NHS
cancer centres all around the UK providing treatments to cancer patients while
embarking on clinical research. Cancer centres can generally be split into
specialist standalone cancer hospitals and designated oncology units within
larger hospitals.
Specialist standalone cancer hospitals
There are
currently 62
specialist cancer centres in the UK serving specific regions. Each has a team
of expert oncologists and the most up-to-date medical technology to deliver
effective cancer patient care. Many also perform clinical studies, such as The
Christie NHS Foundation Trust and the Manchester Research Centre. These centres
put on regular clinical research studies, making developments in cancer
screenings and treatments all the more possible. With these cancer centres,
better outcomes for patients can be achieved.
Designated oncology units within larger hospitals
Many general NHS
hospitals have their own oncology units, which see oncologists delivering
cancer treatments to patients in a particular section of the hospital. Often,
patients will seek treatment at both a specialist cancer hospital and a
designated oncology unit.
Cancer Alliances
Cancer alliances form
a significant part of the NHS’s cancer services infrastructure. Cancer
alliances aim to bring healthcare organisations (including general hospitals,
research centres, and cancer centres) together in order to give patients the
best possible treatment and care. There are a total of 21 cancer alliances in
the UK covering particular regions, including South East London Cancer
Alliance, West Midlands Cancer Alliance, and West Yorkshire and Harrogate
Cancer Alliance. They serve their local areas, helping cancer patients plan
cancer treatments across the region.
Each cancer alliance
covers the major cancer site areas so that cancer patients do not have to
travel far and wide to receive the needed treatment. These site areas include
the breast, lungs, gynae, and head and neck. With these alliances, there is a
reduction in waiting times, faster diagnosis, and an overall improved screening
process. It’s an innovative way of producing better cancer treatment results.
Medical vs Clinical Oncology Within the NHS
Within the NHS, there
is a definite split between medical oncologists and clinical oncologists. While
both medical professions form a necessary part of cancer treatment for
patients, they each have a separate focus. Learning the difference is crucial
if you want to work as an oncologist for the NHS.
Clinical oncology focuses on diagnosing and managing cancer, often using tests to determine where the tumour is and how it’s progressing. This usually involves the use of MRI or CT scans. Both types of oncology specialties play a critical role in patients receiving the cancer treatment they need.
On the other hand, medical oncology focuses on chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other targeted therapies to treat cancer directly. They often work closely with other medical professionals, including radiologists.
How NHS Cancer Services are Advancing
Good news – NHS
cancer services are only getting better, with cancer patients receiving better
outcomes all the time. This is largely thanks to the development of modern
medical technology. For example, in recent years, the NHS
has used AI to examine and analyse mammograms quickly and efficiently,
leaving radiologists more time to treat other patients.
Another primary
reason behind the advancement of NHS services is the breakthroughs discovered
in NHS clinical trials. NHS cancer centres across the UK are taking part in
hundreds of clinical trials, and their discoveries are paving the way for
better cancer treatments and faster diagnosis. Here are just some of the
significant NHS cancer treatment breakthroughs from recent years:
Breast Cancer Treatment – The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
In 2017, the Christie
NHS Foundation Trust contributed to a groundbreaking breast cancer treatment
breakthrough. The treatment, which was used on breast cancer patient Anna
Jones, used a mix of immunotherapy drugs to target the tumour cells.
Fantastically, it worked, giving Anna Jones, who was terminal, a chance at a
longer life and the legacy of being a medical pioneer!
Mesothelioma Treatment approved by NICE
In 2022, the NHS
approved a new mesothelioma treatment drug – the first of its kind in almost
fifteen years. This was a giant breakthrough, especially considering 2,700
people get diagnosed with mesothelioma yearly in the UK. The new drugs –
nivolumab and ipilimumab - provide an alternative to chemotherapy, with the
clinical trial showing a massive 8% increase in the number of people surviving
this form of cancer.
Cancer ‘Vaccine’ – The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
Of course, there are
plenty of trials still ongoing. The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is currently
trialing a new cancer ‘vaccine’. Graham Booth, a head and neck cancer patient,
has received injections of a tailor-made therapy (using his own DNA) to prevent
his cancer from returning. He’s the first in the UK to receive this treatment,
and he has this
to say:
“This clinical trial has opened new doorways and gives me a bit of hope that my cancer won’t come back. And this could open doorways for other people. I’m hopefully looking at a brighter future. A bit of hope that it never returns again – which would mean the world to my family and everyone around me.”
These are just a tiny
percentage of the research that the NHS has contributed to – many other medical
breakthroughs have improved the prognosis of cancer patients all across the UK.
Key Oncology Centres Within the NHS
As an oncologist
wanting to work for the NHS, you might be wondering about the best cancer
centres to look into working for. These five oncology centres span the UK and
offer medical professionals the chance to be at the forefront of cancer
research and breakthroughs. Each is also renowned for its high-quality patient
treatment and care thanks to its modern medical technologies, effective cancer
drugs and therapies, and hard-working healthcare staff members.
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
Clatterbridge Cancer
Centre is one of the leading cancer centres in the UK despite being a
relatively new build. It opened in 2020 in Liverpool and has since provided
specialist care to cancer patients. Treatments at this site include
chemotherapy, radiotherapy, urgent care, and blood cancer services. It is also
responsible for many new cancer treatments available within the NHS thanks to
groundbreaking research, which often occurs at their dedicated Early Phase Clinical
Trials Unit.
Clatterbridge Cancer
Centre is part of a wider network of cancer services in the UK. In 2021, the
hospital partnered with Liverpool Clinical Research Facility, which received
£5.3M in funding that same year. During that same time period, Clatterbridge
was able to continue 100% of its clinical trials that were paused by COVID, as
well as open 45 new ones.
Clatterbridge Centre has
a total of 1,575 members of staff as of 2021, offering those professionals
plenty of development opportunities, including clinical education courses,
radiobiology courses, and a nursing career pathway. Plus, the location is
extremely desirable – Liverpool is a bustling port city with excellent
transport links to the rest of the UK.
Mount Vernon Cancer Centre
Located in Northwood,
Middlesex, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre offers non-surgical oncology treatments
to patients. The centre has a total of 500 staff members serving the
surrounding population of Northwest London. The location itself is friendly and
peaceful, with handy transport links to the centre of London.
Mount Vernon Cancer
Centre has a team of highly specialist oncologists, each focusing in specific
cancers, allowing patients to receive targeted treatments. On top of that, the
centre uses state-of-the-art technologies; at the centre, you’ll find a
chemotherapy suite, inpatient ward, nuclear medicine imaging, and iodine suite.
The centre also acts
as a research establishment, performing plenty of clinical trials to push
forward better treatments for cancer. They have found plenty of success, too.
One breakthrough case involved the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma.
Using the drug tebentafusp, oncologists were able to increase survival rates in
patients.
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal Marsden NHS
Foundation Trust forms Europe’s biggest comprehensive cancer centre. The centre
has around 2,500 cancer specialists, providing treatment to over 60,000
patients each year. The trust consists of two hospitals – one in Chelsea,
London and the other in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Day Unit in
Kingston Hospital (which has a chemotherapy suite). It’s an expansive centre that
is changing the lives of cancer patients for the better.
Royal Marsden NHS
Foundation Trust works closely with the Institute of Cancer Research, helping
to pave the way for new cancer treatments. The centres see lots of innovation
and modern approaches to cancer treatment, including the use of AI
to predict the recurrence of lung cancer. Also, in 2023, the trust began a huge
clinical trial involving 16,000 bowel cancer patients called TRACC, which aims to
detect the tumour within blood cells. In turn, the goal is to reduce the number
of bowel cancer patients needing to go through chemotherapy.
Both hospitals that
make up the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust provide an excellent place to
work for oncologists. The centre in Chelsea is surrounded by an affluent and
desirable area in London, while the centre in Sutton boasts plenty of greenery
and a charming, friendly community.
Velindre Cancer Centre
Velindre Cancer
Centre sits on the outskirts of Cardiff and serves 50,000 outpatients and 5,000
new patients each year. It’s a large, busy cancer centre with specialist cancer
services. Not only does its tireless team work hard to provide outstanding
patient care, but they also embark on life-changing cancer research in the form
of clinical trials.
On top of that, the
Velindre Cancer Centre offers cancer patients plenty of support through its
Maggie Centre, as well as Nature Based Cancer Support Sessions, which allows
patients the chance to take part in sessions such as bread making, weaving, and
painting.
Working for Velindre
places you at the forefront of cancer treatment innovations. Plus, you get to
work in the capital of Wales. Surrounding this cancer centre, you’ll find
plenty of amenities, excellent transport links, and natural beauty.
The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
The Beatson West of
Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow is huge, treating 8,000 new cancer patients
yearly. Its services include chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with the hospital
having a grand total of 48 chemotherapy stations. The 950 staff members provide
other types of cancer treatments, too, mainly specialising in clinical
haematology and non-surgical oncology.
The hospital embarks
on constant clinical trials funded by Beatson Cancer Charity. The funding
contributed to the Radiotherapy Research Project, which aims to increase
radiology effectiveness, particularly on hard-to-treat cancer sites such as the
pancreas, lungs, and brain.
In terms of location,
Glasgow is a bustling port city in the heart of Scotland, with plenty of
historical sites, eateries, and transport links – by train, you can get to
London in 5 hours, Manchester in 3 and a half hours, and Edinburgh in under 90
minutes.
In Summary
The NHS is proud to
offer specialty cancer services across the UK, spanning from the South of
England all the way to the North of Scotland. Working as an oncologist at one
of these cancer centres means you get to be at the heart of cancer research and
development, thanks to the focus on clinical trials. With the innovations and
high-quality treatment that come from each of these centres, cancer patients’
lives are changed for the better.