Acute Oncology Service 

The Acute Oncology Service at Hillingdon Hospital Foundation Trust is a consultant led service, Offering rapid access to treatment for cancer-related emergencies providing a link between the Emergency Department, Haematology, Acute Assessment Unit and other cancer specialists in and around the hospital to provide a service to patients who are admitted as an emergency.  

We liaise with the medical/surgical teams and support patients who may be admitted due to complications of a known cancer, systemic anti-cancer treatment / radiotherapy or newly diagnosed with cancer from an unknown primary.  

The service creates cross site links within London North West, including the cancer centres, acute trusts, specialist units and primary care.  With an aim to work collaboratively ensuring seamless patient pathways. 

Acute oncology aims

  • To provide professional support/advice on managing side effects of cancer treatment  
  • Promote safe and effective timely treatment  
  • To provide expert advice to healthcare professionals looking after you while you are an in-patient. 
  • To provide keyworker support by the Acute Oncology CNS if not known to a site specific team 
  • To improve the quality of care and streamline the tests required 
  • To keep the patient and family fully informed of the management plan and provide necessary support 
  • To arrange appropriate referral to specialists as required 
  • Communicate with local cancer teams and other hospitals 

Who are the Acute Oncology Team? 

Clinicians  

  • Dr Xiaorong Wu, medical oncologist 
  • Dr Charlotte Westbury, clinical oncologist

Nurses

Deborah Malone, acute oncology clinical nurse specialist - Main switchboard - Bleep: 5175 

Administrator 

Lauren Browne / Viviane Hana    AOS co-ordinator - Telephone: 01895 279185

Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) 

If you have cancer, you often need care, support and information above and beyond the management of your condition. At a holistic needs assessment, a doctor or nurse will discuss your physical, emotional and social needs. It’s about you as a whole, not just your illness. 

This is a chance for you to share as much as you want about your worries and concerns. It will help us to clarify your needs and make sure you are referred to the relevant services. It’s not compulsory, and if you decide not to have an HNA it won’t affect your care. But many patients find it useful because it identifies what help is available – and the doctor or nurse carrying it out can refer you to other services. 

An HNA may be offered: 

  • Around the time of diagnosis or start of treatment 
  • When surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been completed