Cancer care

We know that receiving a cancer diagnosis can be daunting, and you likely have a number of questions about what the future holds.

As such, you’ll appreciate the reassurance offered through expert treatment at the hands of our cancer specialists during this uncertain time.

Our oncology services at The Ridgeway Hospital can offer you streamlined, integrated cancer care, taking any undue stress out of your cancer treatment.

Oncology focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer. The complex nature of some cancers often requires specialist care, making a dedicated service vital for patients needing treatment. That’s why at The Ridgeway Hospital our Ridgeway Cancer Suite brings you fast and effective treatment without delay.

Very often, patients are referred from other consultants and specialties at The Ridgeway Hospital, with the diagnosis already confirmed. Similarly, GPs may forward you to us for specialist care. Whatever your background, and whatever cancer you face, our consultant oncologists will work to find the most appropriate form of treatment for you.

Cancers seen and treated at The Ridgeway Hospital include:

• Lung
• Urological
• Ovarian
• Lower GI (Gastrointestinal, i.e. Colorectal/Bowel cancer)

By booking a private appointment with us, you are ensured one-to-one consultant access, even out of hours when appropriate. Along with dedicated nurses, our specialists will be with you every step of the way – at every consultation, during treatment, and in the clinic during follow-ups, which for most patients take place for up to 5 years after diagnosis.

For those based in Swindon, Hungerford, Marlborough, Devizes, Cirencester and further afield, The Ridgeway Hospital offers you a personalised service during your cancer treatment, with unparalleled access to consultants on a one-to-one basis. If you’re concerned about the next steps in your treatment, why not get in touch with us today?

Various forms of drug therapy are offered at The Ridgeway Hospital, depending on your specific diagnosis, including:

• Chemotherapy
• Targeted drugs
• Immunotherapy

For patients needing Radiotherapy, you may be referred elsewhere, although some cases will still be managed by your chosen consultant. For example, some patients may need a short course of palliative radiotherapy, which would be managed by The Ridgeway Hospital to ensure efficiency when returning for chemotherapy/immunotherapy on-site.

Some of these treatments and regimes won’t be available on the NHS, making private care of significant benefit.

You also have greater options in terms of how your treatment is delivered. Treatment is often administered in a hospital setting, but some treatments are able to be given orally, allowing you to take them at home instead. This flexibility ensures you get the right care in the most suitable environment for your needs.

With dedicated treatment rooms, the Ridgeway Cancer Suite is an intimate environment, supported by a team of dedicated specialist nurses offering round-the-clock care.

If you are undergoing intravenous treatment, you have a wider choice over how the treatment is given. Private cancer treatment at The Ridgeway Hospital allows for more sophisticated ways of administering treatment than the NHS, such as the use of arm ports which our surgeons and radiologists put in place. The traditional ‘PICC line’ given on the NHS tends to be external and visible, whereas arm ports are more concealed, therefore carrying a reduced infection risk.

The Ridgeway Cancer Suite also offers extensive therapies to support you during your treatment, including:

• Dedicated physiotherapy
• Exercise classes
• Breathlessness management
• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Advice from dietitians
• Psychological support & support groups

For your initial visit, you may have already been diagnosed with cancer, with no further need for diagnostic enquiries. However, you may not know about all your treatment options or how your cancer can be effectively managed.

The initial consultation at the Ridgeway Cancer Suite will be based on getting to know you, with your consultant explaining exactly what they can offer you and how it will work.

A multi-disciplinary team meeting (MDT) will have been arranged beforehand, where the appropriate consultants from relevant specialties will have gathered to discuss your condition, forming the best possible treatment plan for your specific needs.

New blood tests and scans may be carried out to get up-to-date information, which is especially necessary when planning surgical intervention. Carried out in our on-site Imaging department, this could involve:

• X-rays
• Ultrasound
• CT
• MRI

Once these results have been gathered, your consultant can outline final plans for treatment, with specialist nurses on hand to go through consent forms with you.

This is a good time to think about your goals for recovery, and whether or not these treatments are right for you. While your oncologist can offer advice about the best possible treatment plan, this ensures the decision is entirely yours, allowing you to come to a decision without any pressure.

Once you’ve decided to proceed, you’ll be booked in for your first treatment session, typically a week later. This ‘pre-chemotherapy visit’ involves your lead nurse recapping your diagnosis and confirming your consent, as well as all the details about your chosen treatment plan. It also allows your nursing team to fill in all the necessary nursing documentation before treatment itself begins.

Choosing to have your cancer care at The Ridgeway Hospital comes with a host of benefits, such as:

• Assessments ASAP – Prognoses are much more favourable when cancer is diagnosed at the earliest possible stage. If you’ve been experiencing any concerning symptoms, our oncologists can see you for an assessment without delay, getting you an accurate diagnosis rapidly (with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment) and the necessary treatment before your symptoms progress any further.
• Patient Satisfaction – 96.4% of patients in 2020 said they would happily recommend The Ridgeway Hospital to friends and family in an independent report, and we’re confident that you’ll agree. 96.3% also said that the quality of care here at The Ridgeway Hospital was either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved.
• Consultant-led, Consultant delivered – Private appointments at The Ridgeway Hospital carry the benefit of one-to-one interaction and personal contact with your consultant, including an out of hours service when necessary. This means your treatment is managed and delivered by healthcare professionals with assured expertise and a wealth of dedicated experience.
• Personalised Care – We believe in a bespoke approach to cancer treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and whatever may be best for you. This is regularly reviewed, ensuring you get the most appropriate treatment at every stage of your cancer journey.
• A Multidisciplinary Approach – Our teams at The Ridgeway Hospital work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely with colleagues in Urology, Gynaecology, and General Surgery, alongside specialist radiographers, anaesthetists, and nurses, your consultants have access to a wide network for complex issues, ensuring you have expert support every step of the way during your treatment.
• Convenient Appointments – With appointments available at dedicated clinics throughout the week, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.

If you’ve received a cancer diagnosis, why not take the stress out of the next steps and book an initial visit to The Ridgeway Hospital?

You can then discuss all your treatment options with one of our specialist consultants and make an informed decision on how best to proceed.