The teenage and young adult cancer and blood disorder service at University College Hospital, London, UK, is the main treatment centre for teenage cancer in London and is also the largest teenage and young adult service in the UK.
The hospital’s highly specialised haematology service is dedicated to patients aged
13-18 years old who have been diagnosed with a blood-related cancer such as acute leukaemia or Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is also a national and international centre for the treatment of teenagers with other non-malignant blood disorders including aplastic anaemia, sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia.
UCLH provides all aspects of state-of- the-art cancer care and is a highly specialist centre for advanced treatments, including haemopoietic stem cell transplantation, radioisotope therapy and CAR-T cell therapy. Clinical services are also enhanced by exceptional clinical and translational research, based within University College London and the Institute of Child Health, and it is a leading European centre for CAR-T cell treatment research.
Patients are cared for by a highly skilled multidisciplinary team led by a named consultant, with the input of their consultant colleagues and the wider clinical team, which may include clinical nurse specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists.
Tailored care for patients
The clinical team meets regularly to review each patient’s tailored care plan which is revised when needed to meet each individual’s medical and holistic needs. They have vast experience in managing autologous and allogenic transplants for patients with either malignant or non-malignant blood disorders; from acute leukaemia and high-grade lymphomas to hemoglobinopathies. The UCLH team were pioneers in the development of delivering gene therapy to thalassemia patients in the UK, which can potentially offer a cure to patients whilst delivering a less toxic treatment plan, leading to a vastly improved patient experience. As well as providing world-class care, the ward has been specifically tailored to the needs of teenagers and young adults, and is designed to make their stay in hospital as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. This includes entertainment systems for TV and gaming, webcams to help patients stay in touch with friends and family, a recreational area and a small kitchen. An additional bed can also be provided for
a family member when required.
For outpatients, there is also a large recreational area in the nearby Macmillan Cancer Centre known as ‘the hub’ which has a range of recreational, social and educational options including a gym, DJ booth, computer, gaming space, education zone and pool table, and provides an environment where young people can meet others in a similar situation.
Patients and their families also have access to a psych-oncology team, to help make sense of what has happened to them.
Patients from the Middle East
Advocates are available to help with the specific needs of Middle Eastern patients seeking treatment in the UK as well as the wider needs of any family members travelling with them. A team member will be able to help from initial enquiry through to first consultations and follow-up care plans. They will also be able to help translate and answer any questions.
Where to find University College Hospital
University College Hospital is based in leafy Bloomsbury; a short walk from Oxford Street and the West End of London, with quick and easy transport links including buses, tubes and mainline stations.
The area has a huge variety of shops and restaurants to choose from, and has easy access to London’s finest shops, vibrant nightlife, cultural centres and quiet green spaces.
- For more information: Email: uclh.private.enquiries@nhs.net
Call: +44 (0) 20 3448 4260
Website: www.uclhprivatehealthcare.co.uk
