About our cancer service

Oncology department provides high quality cancer services in 10 specialties: Breast, Head and Neck, Lung, Upper-Gastrointestinal (UGI), Hepato-Pancreatobilliary (HPB), Colorectal, Skin, Urology, Haematology and a Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit (POSCU).

We are part of the London Cancer Vanguard in partnership with UCLH- Cancer Collaborative and work closely with other London hospitals including Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals and the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. Our children's cancer services are provided in conjunction with Great Ormond Street and UCLH and run a successful cancer research and trials service.  

  • If you or any member of your family has been referred for testing to investigate for cancer, or you've received a recent diagnosis, please read this useful support guide produced by the North Central London NHS Cancer Alliance to help answer any questions you may have.

The hospital provides a wide range of diagnostic, surgical, radiotherapy and chemotherapy services.

We have the Helen Rollinson Cancer Support Centre which pre the pandemic provided complementary therapies and counseling.

Our Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre is open Monday to Friday 10am–4pm and provides information, advice and support for patients, family, carers and friends. 

We have a purpose-built radiotherapy department and an integrated day chemotherapy suite. There is a dedicated oncology ward (Podium 1) which includes an inpatient radioiodine suite. 

What we offer

Radiotherapy and medical physics services

We provide a full range of the latest radiotherapy techniques having recently invested heavily in state-of-the-art linear accelerator technology. We provide image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). These techniques utilise imaging to guide the precise and efficient delivery of radiotherapy. Find out more about our radiotherapy services.   

Oncology ward

We provide care for patients undergoing investigations and treatment for different forms of cancer the Podium 1 ward consists of 23 beds consisting of four 4 bedded bays and seven single room as well as a room where we support patient undergoing radioactive treatments.

The oncology ward has restricted visiting as per the Trust guidelines. 

Systemic anti-cancer services

We provide systemic anticancer treatments for adults and children, as inpatients on our dedicated ward or in our dedicated outpatient chemotherapy suite.

Our team has expertise in systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), biological treatments and immunotherapy.

We also deliver supportive treatments for our cancer patients i.e. blood transfusions, bone supportive drugs

To find out more about cancer, treatments and research we would encourage you to visit the Cancer Research UK website.

Palliative medicine services

We provide palliative care services supported by a specialist team. 

Acute oncology service

The  Acute Oncology Service (AOS) is a nurse led service that provides a 24/7 telephone contact advice line for patients, carers and professionals. We support patients who receive a first diagnosis of cancer in the emergency setting or who present acutely unwell due to their disease. We also provide a service for cancer patients who present as an emergency with acute complications of non-surgical cancer treatment. There is an AOS team of consultants who will review inpatients within 24 hours of their admission.

Macmillan dietician services and SALT (speech and language therapy)

Our team of Macmillan oncology Dietitians and Dietetic support worker provide specialist dietetic advice and support to patients with a cancer diagnosis, both in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Referrals are made using specific screening tools via the nurses or other healthcare professionals both on the ward and in clinics.

The specialist dietitians help to prevent and treat common nutritional symptoms that occur and provide individualised advice on how to maintain an optimal weight and diet during treatment and recovery. They also take part in delivering nutrition group talks for cancer patients who have completed treatment.

Macmillan Clinical Psychology service

The Macmillan Clinical Psychology Service offers one to one appointments for patients and carers. 

Talking therapy can help people living with cancer to make sense of their difficulties and learn more helpful ways of coping. Referrals to the service are accepted via the Oncology Team and Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre.

Complementary therapy services

The Helen Rollason cancer support centre helps patients emotionally and physically by providing complementary therapy services including massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. However due to the pandemic these services are currently on hold and will resume when it is safe to do so.

Outpatient nursing team and cancer nurse specialists (CNS) 

Our experienced outpatient nursing team supports the oncology and radiotherapy clinics and provide additional services to patients and follow-up visits.

Cancer research

We have an extremely successful cancer trials unit which works closely with the London Cancer Network and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

The team supports academic and commercial trials across a range of treatments.

Haemato-oncology and sickle cell 

We have a large haematology department and work closely with UCLH and Great Ormond Street Hospital, where many of our team have joint posts.

We also have a MacMillan Radiographer who reviews and supports radiotherapy patients whilst on treatment.

Paediatric services

We provide a paediatric oncology shared care unit (POSCU) for young people aged 16 and under. We work closely with the principal treatment centre at University College London Hospital (UCLH). This service is run this service in conjunction with Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

Immunotherapy treatment and potential side effects

Chemotherapy

Overview of your chemotherapy treatment

Understanding your potential chemotherapy side effects

Meet our team

Our clinical nurse specialists

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a Registered Nurse who is a clinical expert, working at an Advanced level within a specialty area of cancer.  You may also hear them referred to as your ‘Key worker’. The CNS is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team involved in your care and will use their skills in cancer care to provide physical and emotional support, coordinate care services and to inform and advise patients and families on clinical as well as practical issues. The CNS will undertake a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) and together with you create a care plan, focusing on you as a whole and not just your illness.  A CNS is allocated by the hospital usually at the point of diagnosis and will support you through treatment and beyond. The CNS can be contacted directly by mobile phone/text or email and usually work 9am-5pm.

Our CNS team

Nurse

Speciality

Memory Gwasira 

Haemato-Oncology

Barbara Von Barsewisch

Haemato-Oncology

 

Uro-Oncology (Bladder/Kidney)

Margaret Awuah

Uro-Oncology

(Prostate)

Christina Birungi

Uro-Oncology

(Prostate)

Margaret Brown

Head and Neck & Thyroid

Celestina Bello

Lung

Siobhan Callan Kolthof

Lung

Judy Hill

Breast

Jane Wakefield 

Breast

Susannah Day

Breast

Olivia Adu-anti

Upper GI

Jennifer O’Neil

Colo-rectal

Pauline Mcculloch

Colo-rectal

Monica Castro

Acute Oncology

Tony Ndlovu

Acute Oncology

Blessing Kamudyariwa

Chemotherapy

Our operational management team

  • Divisional director of clinical services
  • Divisional director of operations
  • Divisional head of nursing
  • Clinical director for oncology and palliative medicine
  • Clinical lead for oncology and palliative medicine
  • Clinical lead for radiotherapy
  • Clinical lead for chemotherapy
  • Head of radiotherapy
  • Head of medical physics
  • Macmillan lead nurse for oncology, palliative care and end of life care
  • Oncology and palliative medicine matron
  • Cancer services manager
  • Cancer service support manager
  • Oncology service support manager

Our consultant team

consultant team in oncology
Name Specialty Service

Dr Girija Anand

Breast & Lung

Clinical Oncology

Dr Olivia Chan

Skin, Lymphoma & AOS

Clinical Oncology

Dr Subhra Chowdhury

Lung

Clinical Oncology

Dr Venkat Gajapathy

Upper GI, Lower GI & AOS

Clinical Oncology

Dr Niraj Goyal

Breast, Thyroid & AOS

Clinical Oncology

Dr Nishi Gupta

Urology

Clinical Oncology

Dr Atia Khan

Head & Neck & Skin

Clinical Oncology

Dr Khurum Khan

GI, CUP & AOS

Medical Oncology

Dr Lucinda Melcher

Upper GI, Lower GI  & Urology

Clinical Oncology

Dr Alexandra Pender

Lung

Medical Oncology

Dr Fharat Raja

Breast & AOS

Medical Oncology

Dr Mausam Singhera

Urology & AOS

Clinical Oncology

Dr Anna Thompson

Head & Neck

Clinical Oncology

Dr Lai Cheng Yew

Breast & AOS

Clinical Oncology

Refer a patient

Local GPs, who need urgent advice when managing a patient with a cancer-related symptom, including any oncological emergency, can call our oncology hotline. 

All calls will be go straight to a member of the Oncology team, and can be put through to a Consultant Oncologist or other senior doctor who will be able to

  • Advise on the appropriate referral pathway; for any oncology related emergencies patient should go straight to local A&E, or can be booked in local trusts' fast track oncology appointment clinic slot
  • Triage to on-call Oncologist or referral to appropriate site-specific oncologist within the patient’s locality
  • Contact the patient’s nominated key worker (Mon-Fri 9am–5 pm)
  • Signpost to other appropriate services
  • Provide symptom management advice, if indicated, with referral to palliative care service

Patient Covid-19 testing guidance update

Patients attending for chemotherapy, radiotherapy treatment or outpatient appointments are now required to have a negative lateral flow test (LFT) before coming to the hospital. You will no longer need a PCR.

This can be done the day before you are due to come to hospital. If you are receiving a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment, LFTs must be done twice a week.

Please speak to your treating team for more information.

This is to prevent and reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 to other patients and staff.

Ordering your test

Order your LFTs from the government website which can be found here. Please follow the step-by-step guide to order:

  • Once on the website above, click start now and select England as where you live.
  • After clicking continue, you then select whether you have symptoms of Covid-19 or not and press continue.
  • After clicking continue again on the rules for Covid-19 testing being changed, select the first option ‘You’ve been asked to take a test by a doctor or healthcare professional, or you’re eligible for Covid-19 treatments or you’re being admitted into hospital.'
  • Once selected, then select the second option 'Your doctor or healthcare professional has told you to get a test because you’re being admitted into hospital for a procedure or treatment’ on the next screen and click on continue.
  • On the next screen, type North Middlesex Hospital in the hospital you are being admitted to. You can then follow the suitable instructions when signing in, creating an account or continuing without an account.
  • During this stage, you will at some point enter your delivery address for the tests and they will then be ordered.

If you do not have access to the internet or cannot order your test online, you can order over the phone by calling the Covid-19 helpline on 119.

Testing

Completed test results MUST be uploaded via the Government website which can be found by clicking here. 

After reporting your test results - a step-by-step guide can be found below, the following applies to you. If your LFT is negative, you can attend on your day of treatment and let reception know by showing them your result when you attend.

However, if your LFT is positive, you MUST NOT come to the hospital, and you must contact the relevant team as soon as possible.

Please follow the step-by-step guide to report your LFT results:

  • Go to the Government website as linked above. Click on the start now button to report your LFT result - you will need to sign in or create an account at this stage. Once signed in, answer the following questions as appropriate: 

Step-by-step guide to testing

  • Once the questions have been completed, you should then answer when you took your LFT and on the next screen, input the test strip ID number which can be found at the top of the test (underneath the QR code). You will then need to confirm it again.
  • Then, input your details including your name, date of birth, gender, ethnic group, home address, NHS number, email address and mobile number, and then input your mobile number to receive confirmation of your result.
  • The final step you will have a summary of your answers to review. Once you are happy with it you can click continue. Then click on the result of your LFT, either positive, negative or void and you'll receive confirmation of your results.

Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Services

Who we are

We understand the impact cancer diagnosis can have on you and those that care for you. Our Macmillan Information and Support Centre here at North Middlesex Hospital is open to patients, family members, friends or carers. We are here to support you and those who are close to you through every step of the way.

We can provide support to those who may be worried about cancer and its symptoms, those how are newly diagnosed, currently going through treatment or living with or beyond cancer.

The centre provides information on specific cancers, treatments and how to manage the side effects. We can also sign post you to the support available in your area and ones specific to your condition.

Having the right information at the right time can help guide you through the processes and help you feel better prepared going forward.

We work closely with the oncology CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialists) teams and other therapies to provide information and support for you and your loved ones through all aspects of your care, recovery and wellbeing.

We also provide emotional support, practical advice and can put you in touch with agencies for financial advice.

We understand that cancer can impact your life in many ways, and we want to be here for you, listen to you and offer advise where we can.

Our centre is also open to other professional seeking information or advice to support their patients and learn about the community support links for patients. 

What we offer

If you are worried about a cancer diagnosis or have questions about treatment, we can support you and help find the information you need. We offer information and support on specific cancers and their treatments and how to cope with the side effects.

We offer a range of information and support including emotional, practical and financial. Our services can be accessed online, in person or over the phone. We have a variety or written information on all aspects of cancer care which can be accessed at the centre or taken away to read to read in your own time.  

We are here for patients, family, friends, carers or anyone who is affected by cancer. 

What can we help with?

  • Cancer information, support and advice
  • Booklets and leaflets about all aspects of cancer and its treatment
  • Wig and dietician referral
  • Financial support and advice 
  • Information on local support groups and centres 
  • Local complementary therapy services
  • Diet and nutrition information
  • Psychological care referral
  • Carers support and advice
  • Directory of wellbeing programmes, courses and events

Please also refer to the Cancer wellbeing Website for video information for People Affected by Cancer

Where to find us

In the Atrium of the main hsopital, Level 0, by the outpatients electronic check-in . 

 

How to contact us

We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for drop-in sessions, phone calls and email contact. Appointments for a specific time can also be booked to coordinate with your treatment or hospital visit. We are closed over the weekend and on bank holidays.

Want to find out more about what we offer?

Note: Questions marked by * are mandatory


You can find us on the Ground Floor of the Atrium in the main building at North Middlesex Hospital.

  • Telephone: 0208 887 3992

Please leave a message if you are unable to speak to someone and we will get back to you. Alternatively, you can email us on northmid.cancerinfo@nhs.net

Outside of the centre opening hours, the Macmillan Helpline is available to provide advice and support on 0808 808 0000, 7 days a week, 8am - 8pm.

The support line offers comprehensive information on all aspects of cancer diagnosis and treatment. There are trained professionals on hand to offer guidance on a number of cancer related topics such as:

  • Clinical questions and information
  • Emotional support
  • Practical information
  • Financial support
  • Work guidance
  • Will writing

General Cancer Support Organisations

Cancer Research UK

Provides information, advice and support to anyone affected by cancer.

 

Cherry Lodge Cancer Support

Support and Information for anyone affected by cancer, home visits, befriending, complementary therapies, group activities and support groups.

 

Helen Rollason 

Offers a range of care and support through the use of complementary therapies as well as counselling, mindfulness, yoga and more for those affected by cancer.

 

Macmillan Cancer Support 

Provides advice and support for anyone affected by cancer. Macmillan also help with financial guidance and benefits and will writing. The support team also offers councellors and nurses to answer medical questions.

 

Maggie's Centres

Get information about how to manage when you or someone you care about has cancer.

 

Nightingale Cancer Support

Emotional and psychological support, complementary therapies, group exercise classes, and general advice and information for those affected by cancer.

 

SGV

Helping to make a difference to people affected by cancer and aid the promotion of good health by raising cancer awareness.

 

Site Specific Cancer Support A-Z

Adrenocortical Cancer

Adrenocortical Cancer Support UK

 

Anal Cancer

Bowel Cancer UK

 

Bladder Cancer

Action Bladder Cancer UK

Fight Bladder Cancer

 

Blood Cancer

Anthony Nolan

Blood Cancer UK

 

Bone Cancer

Bone Cancer Research Trust

Sarcoma UK

 

Bowel Cancer

Bowel Cancer UK

 

Brain Cancer

Brain Trust

Brain Tumour Support

The Brain Tumour Charity

 

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Now

Breast Cancer Haven

Make 2nds Count

 

Cancer of Unknown Primary

Cancer of Unknown Primary Foundation (Jo’s Friends)

 

Cervical Cancer

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust 

The Eve Appeal

 

Cholangiocarcinoma

Alan Morement Memorial Fund

 

Colon Cancer

Bowel Cancer UK

 

Endometrial Cancer

The Eve Appeal

 

Gynaecological Cancer

The Eve Appeal

 

Head and Neck Cancer

Changing Faces

Mouth Cancer Foundation

The Swallows Head and Neck Support Group

Throat Cancer Foundation

 

Kidney Cancer

Kidney Cancer Support Network

Kidney Cancer UK

 

Larynx Cancer

Cancer Laryngectomee Trust

The National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs

Throat Cancer Foundation

 

Leukaemia

Anthony Nolan

Blood Cancer UK

CLL Support

CML Support

Leukaemia Care

Leukaemia UK

 

Lung Cancer

Roy Castle Lung Foundation

 

Lymphoma

Anthony Nolan

Blood Cancer UK

Lymphoma Action

 

Melanoma

Melanoma Focus

Melanoma UK

 

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma UK

 

Myeloma

Anthony Nolan

Blood Cancer UK

Myeloma UK

 

Neuroendocrine Cancer

Neuroendocrine Cancer UK

 

Ocular Melanoma

Ocular Melanoma UK

 

Oesophageal Cancer

The Oesophageal Patients Association

 

Ovarian Cancer

Ovacome

Ovarian Cancer Action

Target Ovarian Cancer

The Eve appeal

 

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer UK

 

Penile Cancer

Orchid

 

Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer UK

LGBT walnut

Orchid

Tackle

 

Rectal Cancer

Bowel Cancer UK

 

Sarcoma

GIST Cancer UK

London Sarcoma Support

Sarcoma UK

 

Testicular Cancer

Orchid

 

Thyroid Cancer

Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust

 

Uterine Cancer

The Eve Appeal

 

Vaginal Cancer

The Eve Appeal

 

Vulval Cancer

The Eve Appeal

 

Womb Cancer

The Eve Appeal

Support for Young Children and Adults

Fruitfly Collective

Helps to build new ways to support children, adults and families affected by cancer. Offers tools to help you talk to children about cancer and help them understand. 

Haringey Young Carers Project

Haringey Young Carers Project provides regular support and group activities for young carers aged 11-18. These sessions include a variety of activities to enable young carers to have fun and learn new skills within a safe environment, as well as providing an opportunity for them to meet and socialise with other young carers who may share similar experiences to them.

Open Door

Young people’s counselling service ages 12-16 living in Haringey.

RipRap

Provides advice, information and support to teenagers who have a parent with cancer.

Shine Cancer Support

Provides information and support to anyone in their 20s, 30s or 40s affected by cancer.

Teens Unite

Aiming to improve lives of young people aged 13-24 years with cancer and other life limiting illness. Runs regular fun days out and offers specialist respite centre.

Treckstock

Provides advice, information and support to young adults in their 20s or 30s living with or beyond cancer.

Young Lives Vs Cancer

Helping children and young people (0-25) diagnosed with cancer. Also supporting familes work through the diagnosis and its impact. 

Willow Foundation

Organise special events for people 16-40 with life threatening conditions

Support for Carers

Barnet Carers Centre

Helps support informal, unpaid, carers within  live in Barnet or care for someone who lives in Barnet, we are here to help and support you.

Carers First 

Providing support for carers in Essex, Hackney, Haringey and parts of East London. 

Carers Trust

Provides support, advice, financial and legal information, and a list of local support services to carers.

Carers UK

Provides support, advice, financial and legal information, and a list of local support services to carers.

Enfield Carers Centre 

To improve the lives of carers in Enfield by championing their right to have choice about how their needs are met and to have a voice in shaping how services are developed for those they care for. We support Carers by providing training, information, a variety of support groups, counselling, complementary therapy and respite activities.

 

Terminal Cancer and Hospice Support

Compassion in Dying

Support and information about end of life choices and rights.

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice (0 – 19yrs)

Expert and compassionate palliative care for children who have a life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, and their families.

North London Hospice

North London Hospice is committed to providing the highest quality palliative and end of life care.

Marie Curie

Providing frontline nursing and hospice care, a free support line, information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement.

Ruth Strauss Foundation

The Ruth Strauss Foundation supports families to prepare a child for the death of a parent. They offer support and guidance, a range of resources and information to support families.

Bereavement Support

Bereaved adults

At a Loss

Signposts people to bereavement support services, information, helplines and resources.

Cruse Bereavement Care

Provides information and support on grief and bereavement, and offers a directory of bereavement organisations and other sources of support to people who are bereaved.

Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service

Provides a counselling service and support group to anyone from the Jewish community who is bereaved.

Muslim Bereavement Support Service

Provides face-to-face and telephone support to bereaved women.

Sue Ryder

Provides advice, information and support to anyone affected by bereavement.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

Provides advice, information and support to anyone bereaved by suicide.

The Good Grief Trust

Provides support to anyone who is bereaved. The support includes wellbeing advice, a directory of local and national bereavement support organisations, and pop-up Good Grief cafés.

The Loss Foundation

Provides information and support to anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer. They provide information about grief and bereavement, support groups, a 10-week grief support programme and peer-to-peer phone support.

Widowed and young

Provides advice, information and support to anyone under the age of 50 who has lost a partner.

Bereaved Children 

Child Bereavement UK

Provides information and advice to help people to support a bereaved child. 

Grief Encounter

Provides support, information about grief, counselling and workshops to bereaved children and young adults.

Winston’s wish

Provides support, information and advice to bereaved children and young adults, and their families.