RM Magazine, winter 2012

Health Secretary visits the hospital

Centre for Molecular Pathology now open

Ten10: fundraising looks to the future

Life demands excellence

magazine – winter 2012

Meet The Royal Marsden’s world-class surgical team and the staff who assist their groundbreaking work

Spotlight on surgery

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RM MAGAZINE

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. And when people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That’s why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

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RM MAGAZINE 03

Executive notes

Welcome to the winter 2012 edition of RM, The Royal Marsden’s magazine for our staff, patients, carers and Foundation Trust Members.

In this issue, we focus on advances and innovation in surgery (page 12) – our fantastic surgeons play a crucial role in the treatment of cancer. We are honoured, too, that Royal Marsden staff will be presenting their research at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (page 6).

We also preview our new charity campaign – ten10: a decade of innovation (page 26), which looks at the past 10 years and focuses on the projects The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has funded, including our state-of-the-art equipment, world-class facilities and pioneering research.

The campaign will also look towards the next 10 years and at how the charity is helping us to remain at the forefront of cancer care, treatment and research. I look forward to sharing more about this campaign with you in the next issue.

WelcomeContents05 Palliative careThe refurbished Horder Ward reopens

12 Pioneering surgeryMeet The Royal Marsden’s world-class surgeons

18 Theatre stars The vital roles played by our surgery team

20 Drug developmentTrials reap rewards at our paediatric Drug Development Unit

04 Hospital news 22 Day in the life24 PCAG 24 The Friends25 Fundraising 28 Foundation news 30 Puzzles & prizes

Regulars

Cally Palmer, Chief Executive, The Royal Marsden

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04 RM MAGAZINE

SECRETARY OF STATE VISITS THE ROYAL MARSDEN

taff and patients met the new Secretary of State for Health,

Jeremy Hunt, when he visited The Royal Marsden’s Chelsea site in October.

Mr Hunt toured the newly refurbished Ellis Ward, speaking with patients and staff. He was particularly interested in the food served at The Royal Marsden, which has won several awards and is renowned for its high standard.

The Health Secretary met patient Vivien Turner and discussed with her the

importance of a choice of good food for inpatients. Such is his interest in the standards of hospital catering that he later announced plans for ‘hit squads’ of food inspectors who will visit NHS hospitals to ensure that they are providing good-quality food.

Mr Hunt was also introduced to staff who have been nominated as NHS Heroes by patients and presented them with their certificates.

Together with senior colleagues from the Department of Health, including Professor

HOSPITAL NEWS

Sir Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer, the Health Secretary then took part in two round-table events, discussing ‘Improving patient care and experience’ and ‘Early

diagnosis and improving survival’. Senior consultants and nursing staff also took part in the discussions, which were chaired by Dr Shelley Dolan, Chief Nurse, and Professor Martin Gore, Medical Director.

Chief Executive Cally Palmer said: “It was wonderful to be able to visit the recently refurbished Ellis Ward with the new Secretary of State for Health and, for staff, to have the opportunity to sit down and discuss key healthcare issues with him.”

The Health Secretary toured Ellis Ward, speaking with patients and staff

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, meets Ellis Ward patient

Vivien Turner

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Hospital news

RM MAGAZINE 05

harity supporters and staff met HRH Princess Alexandra when she

officially opened the refurbished Horder Ward in September.

The £3-million renovation, which was funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, has turned the ward into a modern palliative care environment with enhanced en-suite single rooms, discreet consultation rooms and a day room for patients and their visitors, all set in light, airy surroundings.

During her visit, Princess Alexandra was greeted by Royal Marsden Chief Executive Cally Palmer, Chairman R. Ian Molson and Head of Palliative Care Dr Julia Riley. She was given a tour of the ward, where she met staff including Ward Manager Isabel Thorpe, Senior Staff Nurse Debbie Robertson and Ward Hostess Gifty Bolbey.

Princess Alexandra was then introduced to charity supporters

and donors, including actor Nathaniel Parker, charity Trustee Catherine Armitage, member of the Ethics Committee Dr Michael Harding, Annie Gallon, and supporter Dr Fui Mee Quek.

Princess Alexandra unveiled a commemorative plaque declaring the refurbished ward open, before being presented with a bouquet by three-year-old

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS REFURBISHED HORDER WARDC

The Palliative Care service at The Royal Marsden has received Europe-wide accreditation for its groundbreaking work.

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Designated Centers of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care accreditation programme recognises cancer centres that achieve a high standard of integration between medical oncology and palliative care. This is the second time that The Royal Marsden has been awarded this accreditation, which is valid for three years.

Anna-Marie Stevens, Macmillan Nurse Consultant in Palliative Care at The Royal Marsden, said: “We are incredibly proud of our palliative care service and the support and care we give to patients and their families. This re-accreditation recognises the comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to the care we provide, as well as our groundbreaking initiatives such as Hospital2Home and Coordinate My Care, which support patients’ end-of-life choices.”

This accreditation follows the £3-million refurbishment of Horder Ward, the hospital’s palliative care ward, which was recently opened by HRH Princess Alexandra (see left).

Royal Marsden wins palliative care accreditation

HRH Princess Alexandra meets actor Nathaniel

Parker and Royal Marsden Chairman R. Ian Molson

(above), and Horder Ward staff (below)

HRH Princess Alexandra with xxxxxx xxxxxx and

xxxxxx xxxxx HRH Princess

Alexandra with xxxxxx xxxxxx and

xxxxxx xxxxx

Anna Wood, daughter of Palliative Care Consultant Dr Jayne Wood.

Dr Riley said: “It was a fantastic visit and we were delighted to welcome HRH Princess Alexandra. It was a great opportunity to showcase our new facilities and highlight how important the refurbishment has been to both patients and staff on the ward.”


06 RM MAGAZINE

Hospital news

Experts will be able to better understand each patient’s individual tumour type

CMP: GROUNDBREAKING FACILITY NOW OPEN

he Centre for Molecular Pathology (CMP), a world-class research

facility that will revolutionise how we diagnose and treat cancer, is now open.

The CMP was officially opened by Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England, in late November. It brings together clinicians, geneticists, pathologists and scientists under one roof for the first time to advance cancer research and treatment. This will dramatically speed up the research and treatment development process. Working

Tside by side, experts will be able to better understand each patient’s individual tumour type and develop personalised treatment plans faster than ever before, making our vision of personalised medicine a reality.

The centre was born out of the unique relationship between The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research.Together, they form the only Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) specialising in cancer in the UK. BRC status was awarded by the National Institute for Health Research in 2006 and renewed in 2011.

Professor Mitch Dowsett, Professor of Biomedical Endocrinology at The Royal Marsden, has been appointed Head of the CMP. For more news on the centre and how the different teams work together, see our spring 2013 issue.

New Director of Clinical Research The Royal Marsden has appointed Professor David Cunningham (above) as Director of Clinical Research.

In this role, Professor Cunningham will provide leadership for the development and performance of all aspects of clinical research. He will also be Director of the National Institute for Health Biomedical Research Centre, working closely with Professor Alan Ashworth, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), and the Research Directorate at the ICR.

Professor Cunningham is an international leader in his field with a distinguished record of contribution to research, treatment and education. He will be supported by Jane Lawrence, Assistant Director of Clinical R&D; Dr Liz Bishop, who has operational responsibility for clinical research on behalf of the Management Executive team; and Professor Mitch Dowsett, who is responsible for the operation of the new Centre for Molecular Pathology at Sutton.

The new Centre for Molecular Pathology heralds a new era of personalised treatment


RM MAGAZINE 07

Hospital news

This generation of new immunotherapy drugs promises to be better than ones we developed earlierPROFESSOR MARTIN GORE, MEDICAL DIRECTOR, THE ROYAL MARSDEN

new molecular test could identify patients who are at such low risk

of their breast cancer returning after surgery that they could be spared chemotherapy.

A study of 101 breast cancer patients suggested that almost half of those who are classified as at ‘intermediate’ risk of recurrence would be downgraded to ‘low’ risk by the test, known as IHC4. This would mean they could avoid chemotherapy and its side effects.

The IHC4 test uses simple technology that is available in most treatment centres around the UK and is relevant to the treatment for patients with oestrogen-receptor-positive (ER positive) breast cancer. This is the most common type of the disease, accounting for around three out of four breast cancer cases – about 36,000 patients in the UK each year. While many patients will benefit from chemotherapy, others have

very low-risk disease and this molecular test will help to identify this group.

The research – conducted by clinicians including Professor Ian Smith, Dr Sarah Barton and Dr Nick Turner at The Royal Marsden, in collaboration with scientists from The Institute of Cancer Research, and the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre – was published in the British Journal of Cancer this year. The test is being assessed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence for use throughout the NHS.

Professor Mitch Dowsett, Professor of Biochemical Endocrinology at The Royal Marsden, said: “This is a simple, cost-effective test. The research suggests that many patients could be classified as ‘low’ risk after surgery and therefore could avoid chemotherapy and its toxic side effects. It could make a big difference to those patients, and also save the NHS money.”

NEW TEST MAY REDUCE CHEMOTHERAPY USE IN BREAST CANCER

Avoiding side effects

Money raised by The Sam Keen Foundation, in memory of a Royal Marsden patient, is to be used to set up a groundbreaking research fellowship to develop a new skin cancer drug. This, in collaboration with other world-leading cancer research institutions, will start the process of developing and testing a new drug that is hoped will succeed ipilimumab, currently used to treat malignant melanoma.

Professor Martin Gore, The Royal Marsden’s Medical Director, announced the news at a gala event in July, organised by The Sam Keen Foundation. Set up to honour the memory of Sam Keen, who died in 2011 at the age of 27 after fighting malignant melanoma for seven years, the foundation hopes to raise £100,000 for The Royal Marsden in gratitude for the treatment he received and to aid research into malignant melanoma treatment.

Professor Gore said: “This second generation of new immunotherapy drugs promises to be better than the ones that we have developed over the past four years. We are immensely indebted to the Keen family for doing this.”

A

CHARITY HELPS FUND NEW SKIN CANCER DRUG PROJECT

Professor Mitch Dowsett,

Professor of Biochemical

EndocrinologyLatest research presented at ESMONew and exciting research carried out at The Royal Marsden has been presented at this year’s European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Vienna.

Professor Ian Judson, Head of the Sarcoma Unit at The Royal Marsden and Professor of Cancer Pharmacology at The Institute of Cancer Research, presented findings from his Phase III trial. The trial compared the standard sarcoma treatment with a combination treatment and a second chemotherapeutic called ifosfamide – a nitrogen mustard and a particularly aggressive and toxic treatment.

Other studies have compared the benefits of combination and single-agent treatments, but there had been concerns that the doses of ifosfamide given to patients in these trials were too low to be effective for all. The trial showed that combination treatment did block cancer growth for longer than single-agent treatment (7.4 months versus 4.6 months), and was more likely to shrink the tumours (24 per cent versus 13.2 per cent), but after two years there was no difference in survival rates between the two groups.

Professor Martin Gore, Medical Director at The Royal Marsden, also spoke several times at the congress on a number of subjects.


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Hospital news

Two clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) from The Royal Marsden are to present their research work at this year’s San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in the USA – a first for the Trust.

Melissa Warren and Diane Mackie, CNSs in secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, will present their study – entitled ‘The complexity of non face-to-face work with patients affected by metastatic breast cancer and their carers. The “hidden consultations” of the clinical nurse specialist’ – at the prestigious annual symposium, held in San Antonio, Texas, in December.

The needs of women with metastatic breast cancer can

ROYAL MARSDEN NURSES TO PRESENT STUDY AT SYMPOSIUM

Breast cancer care

Play House Day Nursery expansionThe Play House Day Nursery in Sutton has created more nursery places by changing the use of existing rooms. This will also decrease the waiting list and ease the high demand for childcare places in the baby room.

Dawn Smith, Nursery Manager, said: “The recent changes to our environment mean that we are able to accommodate a further six babies under 18 months.

“We have also been given permission by Ofsted to increase numbers across the nursery. This is good news for those parents who have benefited from a recent place and will allow us to reduce waiting times.”

The baby room has also been refurbished, making for a much brighter environment that is being enjoyed by both staff and the children.

The Play House Day Nursery has 58 children in total and was awarded the Quality Mark, a national accreditation for schools that demonstrate high standards, earlier this year.

be complex and the role of the CNS is important in their care. Having contact with someone who has specialist knowledge and understanding of a patient’s treatment and care can help reduce a patient’s anxieties and help them to cope with the complications of having metastatic breast cancer.

The study looked at the complexity of patient interaction via telephone, which is not a formally recognised part of a CNS’s role, compared with face-to-face contact. It has highlighted the importance of telephone contact between CNSs, patients and their carers, and that this work needs to be formally identified.

Melissa and Diane said: “To have our abstract accepted by the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is a real honour and gives us an unprecedented opportunity to present our work and promote the role of The Royal Marsden CNS for secondary breast cancer.

“It will allow us to show that the nursing profession is also striving to produce evidence-based research that benefits patient care and validates the role of the CNS.”

Dr Shelley Dolan, Chief Nurse at The Royal Marsden, said: “It is a true testament of Melissa and Diane’s skills as CNSs that their work is being presented to their peers from around the world.”

Clinical Nurse Specialists Diane Mackie (left) and

Melissa Warren


RM MAGAZINE 09

Hospital news

MR BILL ALLUM, CONSULTANT UPPER GI SURGEON, THE ROYAL MARSDEN

New fellowship honours pioneering breast surgeonA fellowship has been set up in memory of one of The Royal Marsden’s most popular and respected breast and oncoplastics surgeons.

Caroline Richardson and Monika Kaushik will be the first two breast trainees of the Guidubaldo Querci della Rovere fellowship.

Mr Querci was a Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon at The Royal Marsden in Sutton until his untimely death from prostate cancer. He pioneered oncoplastic breast surgery and dedicated the final years of his career to teaching and training young surgeons from around the world.

SURGEON ELECTED TO PRESTIGIOUS ROLERoyal Marsden surgeon Mr Bill Allum has been elected as President of the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (AUGIS).

The President is elected by the AUGIS membership, signifying the appointment as a public demonstration of the high regard Mr Allum’s peers have for his abilities and for him personally.

Mr Allum said: “It is a real honour to have been elected by my peers to this role. It is a role with real responsibility, advising nationally on significant surgical developments, training and service provision for upper GI surgery across the country, as well as hosting our annual scientific meeting.”

It is a real honour to have been elected by my peers to this role

Nursing staff from across the Trust have participated in a day of training in which they shared up-to-date information in the prescription and administration of chemotherapy.

The Chemotherapy Care with Confidence study day in August followed two key principles: dissemination of evidence-based information, and addressing everyday activities performed in the clinical area. A key theme was collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary team who are directly involved with decision-making and the prescription of chemotherapy drugs.

CHEMO FORUM FOR NURSES

Multidisciplinary approach

Professor Martin Gore, Royal Marsden Medical Director, with

nurses at the Chemotherapy Care with Confidence event


10 RM MAGAZINE

Hospital news

ART GETS THUMBS UPPatients, carers and visitors have given their approval to the artwork, poetry and music at The Royal Marsden in the Arts Forum Survey.

Nearly 90 per cent of respondents felt that the artwork at The Royal Marsden helps to improve the atmosphere and the patient experience in the hospital, with one patient describing it as “very calming”.

The survey also showed that people found our poetry leaflets enjoyable – with one saying they encouraged “good and peaceful thoughts”. Following feedback, the Arts Forum is looking into ways to promote the leaflets and make them more accessible.

Respondents also said that they would enjoy hearing more music around the hospital.

The Royal Marsden’s young patients have benefited from equipment worth more than £6,000 thanks to a generous donation from the Emily Ash Trust and the Bender family.

The Oak Centre for Children and Young People therapy room has been filled with brightly coloured therapy equipment and sensory toys to aid young patients’ rehabilitation during their cancer treatment.

Nicki Murtagh, Head of Therapies, said: “We are so grateful to the Emily Ash Trust and the Bender family for their support and generous donation. It will make a huge difference to our patients and staff.

“The equipment is interactive and colourful to appeal to all ages. The room is now really motivational and a fun environment for the children to receive their therapy. It will be used for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and dietetics.

“The walking bars have helped one of our young patients take her first steps, which is wonderful.”

The Emily Ash Trust was set up in Emily’s name following her successful cancer treatment at The Royal Marsden 12 years ago. Emily, now 18, said: “This really means a lot to me to see how we can help patients.”

NEW EQUIPMENT FOR OAK CENTRE

Young patients’ therapy

Helping patients to live wellA new health and wellbeing event for Royal Marsden patients who want to make positive changes to their lifestyle following treatment has been hailed as a success.

The ‘Make Change, Live Well’ event was held in September at The Royal Marsden in Chelsea. In attendance were breast cancer patients on open-access follow-up who had completed their treatment in the past year.

They heard presentations from experts about healthy living and cancer prevention, with a focus on physical activity, healthy eating and awareness of other long-term conditions such as diabetes. Patients also had the chance the talk to Royal Marsden staff and other professionals from organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support and Diabetes UK.

Former patient Emily Ash (right) with Nicki

Murtagh, Head of Therapies


Hospital news

RM MAGAZINE 11

he Royal Marsden’s Urology Unit has been recognised with an INC

Research Recognition Award for its work in clinical trials.

In recent years, the Urology Unit has continued to develop its portfolio to offer all prostate cancer patients choices in their treatment, as well as access to new treatments and therapies.

INC Research – a global contract research organisation that runs trials for pharmaceutical companies – named the unit as Best Performance Site for Clinical Trials, deeming it the highest recruiter in trials in its field and praising the exceptional quality of data.

Dr Vincent Khoo, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Head of Radiotherapy Services at The Royal Marsden, said: “It is an honour to be selected from an international field and to be recognised for the high quality of work undertaken for the clinical trials conducted here.

“This is due to the dedicated and cohesive teamwork from all

T

UROLOGY UNIT RECOGNISED WITH RESEARCH AWARD

The winners of the 2012 Staff Achievement Awards, announced at the Staff Awards Ceremony on 24 November at the Tower of London, are:

Pursuing Excellence Dawn Smith, Nursery ManagerEnsuring Quality Individual: Paulina Markovic, Quality Manager Team: Pathology Quality LeadsDriving Efficiency Individual: Claudine Cleaver, Service Improvement ManagerTeam: Physiotherapy –outpatients, Sutton and Merton Community ServicesBreaking Boundaries Individual: Emilda Thompson, Senior Research NurseTeam: Professor Mitch Dowsett and team, Academic BiochemistryDeveloping Potential Dr Khin Thway, Consultant HistopathologistAnything’s Possible Individual: Tina Shaughnessy, Senior Staff Nurse, IV TeamTeam: PATCH teamWorking TogetherIndividual: Lisa Ogden, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Team: Dr Julia Chisholm, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, and Amber Conley, Matron, Oak Centre for Children and Young People Outstanding Contribution Individual: Bernadette Knight, Staff Support Facilitator, Psychological SupportTeam: Lung unit research team, research nurses and clinical trial co-ordinatorsUnsung Hero/Heroine Patricia Stanley, Welfare Rights AdvisorOutstanding Leadership Caroline Blackburn, Specialist Nurse, Dietetics

We’ll have more details of the Staff Awards Ceremony in the spring 2013 issue of RM.

Acclaim for clinical trials

Pop-up shop boosts cancer awareness The Royal Marsden has been involved in the UK’s first-ever Get to Know Cancer pop-up shop this autumn.

The Get to Know Cancer campaign, launched as a partnership between Mayor of London Boris Johnson, NHS London and London Councils, aims to change attitudes to cancer and increase early diagnosis. The partnership has come together to form the London Health Improvement Board (LHIB).

Cancer specialists from The Royal Marsden, among other organisations, were on hand to talk to members of the public in the shop in Croydon during its five-week opening period. The pop-up provided an opportunity for people to ask questions about cancer and air concerns that they might not feel comfortable discussing with family and friends.

Dr Shelley Dolan, Chief Nurse, said: “The Royal Marsden was delighted to be a part of the Get to Know Cancer campaign. We know that increasing the awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and spotting symptoms in cancer is key to improving outcomes for patients.”

A second shop is set to open in Haringey in January 2013. The ambition of the LHIB is to increase early diagnosis of cancer in London by 10 per cent over three years.

This award speaks to the excellent calibre of our research team membersDR VINCENT KHOO, CONSULTANT CLINICAL ONCOLOGIST, THE ROYAL MARSDEN

our unit members, particularly our Clinical Trials Unit, in ensuring and maintaining high standards. This award speaks to the excellent calibre of our research team members and I am very proud to be part of this great team.”

Debra Townsend-Thorn, Senior Research Nurse in the Urology Unit, said: “The team works extremely hard to maintain our excellent research conduct. It’s a pleasure to work with a team where we all strive to do our best at all times, with obvious dedication.”

Staff Awards 2012

Dr Vincent Khoo, Consultant Clinical

Oncologist


12 RM MAGAZINE

urgery is one of the most common treatments for cancer. At The Royal Marsden, we pride ourselves in

pushing the boundaries of surgical innovation.By constantly improving surgical

techniques and investing in leading-edge technologies such as our da Vinci S robot, we strive to ensure that both inpatients and outpatients – whether under local or general anaesthetic – continue to receive the best new treatments. This can mean less time in theatre, less time in hospital, quicker recovery times and better outcomes.

BREAST RECONSTRUCTIONNew advances for mastectomy patientsMr Paul Harris, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Clinical Lead of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, explains that the multidisciplinary care at The Royal Marsden allows other specialists to remove cancers with a wider clearance margin, without worrying about how to close the opening afterwards.

“There are many techniques to close large or difficult wounds, but the main method involves isolating unaffected parts of the body – tissue flaps – away from the tumour and then transferring them by reconnecting their blood supply at the new site,” he says. “This involves the use of a microscope to reconnect the blood supply, and at The Royal Marsden we have become highly specialised in the use of microvascular tissue-transfer techniques.” Examples of this are newer types of breast reconstruction that use flaps connected to one another.

The most frequently used tissue for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy is from the stomach in the form of a DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap. However, Mr Harris explains, not all patients have enough tissue to undergo this procedure – an athletic build or previous abdominal surgery would rule a patient out of a DIEP flap.

He says: “We have now developed a surgical procedure that uses tissue from the upper inner-thigh area. This tissue is based on a muscle called the gracilis – hence it is called the TUG (transverse upper gracilis) flap. The procedure involves the removal of the loose skin and fat with a small underlying muscle high up in the groin and leaves a hidden scar in the groin crease.” Both inner-thigh muscles are used, connected using microvascular surgery techniques and transferred as a double flap to the chest wall, in a procedure known as a flap-to-flap bilateral TUG reconstruction.

Mr Harris says: “The advantage of not using implants is that these reconstructions are permanent and age naturally with the patient. This offers a significant improvement in terms of recovery from breast cancer treatment that includes a mastectomy.” ➜

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In theatre: meet our surgeons

We speak to some of The Royal Marsden surgeons who are performing groundbreaking procedures in the treatment of cancer

SPOTLIGHT ON SURGERY

MR PAUL HARRIS, CONSULTANT PLASTIC SURGEON AND CLINICAL LEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

These reconstructions are permanent and age naturally with the patient

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Surgery focus


14 RM MAGAZINE

Mr Cyrus Kerawala, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Satvinder Mudan, Consultant Gastrointestinal Surgeon

Professor David Nicol, Consultant Urological

Surgeon

Mr Kelvin Ramsey, Consultant Plastic and

Reconstructive Surgeon

Mr Paul Harris, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Clinical Lead of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery


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Surgery focus

CASE STUDY: Christine Fellows, 47, teacher“When I was told I had breast cancer, I was so frightened that I wouldn’t survive, the last thing I was thinking about

was how I was going to look afterwards. “I found a lump in July 2011 and thought

it was just a cyst. That October, I eventually went to the doctor, who assured me it was fine. I went back just before Christmas and was referred to The Royal Marsden.

“Just before I was about to go Christmas shopping, I arrived at the Rapid Diagnostic and Assessment Centre, not expecting anything to be wrong with me. I was given the results of my mammogram and was told it was cancer. I was so shocked – I couldn’t believe it.

“I went away and surprisingly had a wonderful Christmas with my husband and three children. I suppose I was treasuring my life more than I had just days before.

“After Christmas, I had several more tests including an MRI scan. As my tumour was 2cm in diameter and was surrounded by 7cm of pre-cancerous tissue, and I had small breasts, a mastectomy was the best option. I was involved with this decision every step of the way. The support nurses were very kind and showed me various options and photographs, which was really helpful.

“I didn’t realise I would have so many options, as reconstruction was not something I was thinking about at that stage. I just wanted to be free of cancer, and the reconstruction was more for my family’s sake.

“My surgeon, Mr Paul Harris, had explained that I would not have been able to have the standard procedure as I didn’t have enough spare tissue in the stomach area, and that the TUG reconstruction was better for me. I was grateful to have another option, as it was all quite new at this stage.

“My operation to have a flap-to-flap bilateral TUG breast reconstruction was scheduled for Valentine’s Day. The first half of the surgery was with Mr Bill Allum, who removed the cancer and my breast tissue. A lymph gland was also taken for biopsy. He then handed over to Mr Harris and his team.

CHRISTINE FELLOWS, ROYAL MARSDEN PATIENT

Mr Harris took tissue from my thighs and used it to reconstruct my breast... It is incredible

“Mr Harris took a circular disc from the gracilis muscle in my thighs and used the tissue to reconstruct my breast. The operation took about six hours in total. I was in hospital for about five days after the operation and was back to work within six weeks.

“It is incredible to think that it is all my own tissue with its own blood supply. Fortunately, my cancer was slow-growing and not aggressive, so I did not need chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I’d like to sincerely thank all the staff at The Royal Marsden involved in my treatment and care. They not only saved my life, but also reconstructed me to feel like me again.” ➜

Consultant Plastic Surgeon Mr Paul Harris in theatre

of cancer patients have some type of surgery, whether for diagnosis, treatment or ongoing management of complications

operations take place at The Royal Marsden every year

Surgery statistics

of lung cancer patients have surgery

10%

90%

6,000–7,000

85%of breast cancer patients have surgery


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MICROSURGERYPioneering techniques improve outcomesThe future of microsurgical techniques at The Royal Marsden looks exciting, with a lymphoedema patient undergoing pioneering surgery here recently.

This microsurgery involves the connection of the lymphatic channels to the veins to treat swollen limbs that can become blocked when cancer spreads to the lymph nodes.

“Microsurgical techniques have improved enormously in the past few years,” says Mr Kelvin Ramsey, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. “We can now use near infrared imaging systems to image the limb – the arm, for example – and show the position of functioning lymphatic channels. I can then find those tiny lymphatic channels and reroute them into the bloodstream, therefore emptying the arm of the excess fluid and improving the lymphoedema.

“Initially we shall be offering this surgery to a limited number of patients. However, once the service has been fully set up, we hope to offer it to many more, and in particular we will be concentrating on those

patients who are suffering from lymphoedema after breast cancer. We hope to prove that this treatment can provide significant benefit to our patients.

“We hope that this new procedure can potentially change these patients’ lives and reduce the need to wear compression garments.’’

UROLOGICAL SURGERYNew keyhole procedures for kidney patientsBuilding up a minimally invasive urological service at The Royal Marsden is a priority for Professor David Nicol, Consultant Urological Surgeon, and his colleague Mr Pardeep Kumar.

Professor Nicol, who was one of the first surgeons in the world to use laparoscopic surgical techniques for urology patients 20 years ago, joined The Royal Marsden earlier this year. He is increasing the number of minimally invasive procedures performed at the hospital for patients with kidney cancer. These keyhole operations aim to remove all or part of the kidney that contains a cancer. Laparoscopic nephrectomy is used when the entire kidney needs to be removed. For many smaller tumours, robotic partial nephrectomy using the da Vinci S, removing only a part of the kidney, is now also being performed.

These minimally invasive procedures are best suited to patients who are at an early stage of the disease when the tumours are small (generally up to about 4cm in size). The techniques are, however, not appropriate

The Royal Marsden’s surgeons at work


RM MAGAZINE 17

Surgery focus

for patients who have large kidney tumours or whose disease is at a very advanced stage.

Until recently, the standard treatment for kidney cancer has been an open nephrectomy under general anaesthetic to remove the kidney through a large incision. While laparoscopic nephrectomy and robotically assisted partial nephrectomy are also performed under general anaesthetic, just three or four small abdominal incisions are enough to provide access for the surgical instruments used to operate on the kidney. When the whole kidney is removed, it is enclosed in a bag and extracted through a small incision in the lower abdomen.

Because these operations are less invasive, the patient experiences much less pain, spends less time in hospital and is able to return to normal activities much sooner than with traditional open surgery.

Professor Nicol says: “We are lucky at The Royal Marsden to have the infrastructure and equipment to perform these operations, as well as the support to continue to develop new surgical techniques for our patients.”

FACIAL RECONSTRUCTIONCombined operation helps reduce surgery timeThe Royal Marsden will become one of the world’s first hospitals to combine three surgical procedures into one for head and neck cancer patients. The pioneering surgery – designed and performed by Mr Cyrus Kerawala, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon – merges three

operations that remove the tumour and install teeth implants.

The current approach to reconstruction is free tissue transfer – the transplantation of a flap of bone or soft tissue from a remote part of the body into the surgical defect and the re-establishment of its blood supply via microvascular surgery techniques. Although this fills the defect with living tissue and restores the lost bones and soft tissues of the face, it does not comprehensively rehabilitate the patient – because teeth are not replaced, functions such as chewing are compromised.

“The traditional approach is to then place dental implants into the transplanted bone about six months after the initial operation,” says Mr Kerawala. “After another period of some three months to allow the implants to fuse to the bone, crowns or bridges are attached to them – only then is function and cosmesis truly restored. In total, this approach requires three separate operations and means that patients rarely have teeth replaced until at least a year after their initial surgery.”

The new procedure will combine these three stages of surgery into one operation. Mr Kerawala explains that a template is made with the aid of stereolithographic models derived from CT scan data, which allows dental implants to be placed at the time of the initial free tissue transfer.

He says: “Typically, a patient stays in hospital for 10 to 14 days following free-flap surgery. This time will be used to construct a temporary bridge so that on discharge from hospital, the patient will have their teeth replaced just a fortnight after their initial operation, rather than a year. This should return appearance and function quickly, with obvious benefits to their quality of life.” rm

MR CYRUS KERAWALA, CONSULTANT ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON

The patient will have their teeth replaced after two weeks rather than a year

Iron infusions pilot Consultant Surgeon Mr Satvinder Mudan and Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Ravi RaoBaikady have been working on a new project that is reducing the amount of donated blood being used in major operations.

Over the past three years, the pair – with the help of the Blood Transfusion Service and clinical colleagues – have trialled a pilot in which patients are given iron infusions instead of blood. Using iron infusions pushes a patient’s body to produce its own blood, meaning they no longer need to have transfusions using donated blood.

Mr Mudan says: “The main benefit of using iron infusions instead of blood is that there can be some side effects from giving patients someone else’s blood – some people can develop unpleasant inflammatory reactions.” He adds that because it is expensive to buy in blood, there are cost savings as well.


SURGERY STAFF

The team behind the

scenes

ehind every surgical procedure performed at The Royal Marsden is a large team responsible for ensuring

that the operation goes smoothly. The care provided is known as perioperative care, which comprises three interconnected phases: anaesthetics, surgery and recovery. Theatre staff are essential in ensuring that the patient receives the best care – surgery would not be able to go ahead without them.

The AnaesthetistDr Matthew Hacking is Lead Anaesthetist at The Royal Marsden – an important and specialised role within the surgical team.

The safety of patients is key to his role. Before a patient goes into theatre, he will visit them, take their medical history to identify any risk factors that could increase the likelihood of complications, and discuss the most appropriate method of anaesthesia and pain management. He may also prescribe premedication (premeds), to reduce anxiety or nausea, or to meet the specific operation or medical needs of a patient.

In theatre, Matthew monitors the patient during the operation, and makes sure that they wake up comfortably afterwards. He then ensures that the patient receives pain relief, treats any nausea, prescribes fluids and oxygen, and checks that the patient is stable before being returned to the ward.

Matthew has seen great change over the past decade. “The anaesthetics team has grown in line with the increasingly dedicated and specialised surgical departments,” he says. “The acute care facilities are fully developed, with an exceptional new theatre

complex and Critical Care Unit. Many new surgical advances are being made, such as robotic techniques, for ever more complex procedures. These bring their own challenges.

“The department is committed to improving the patient experience, reducing risk and improving outcomes. We are in a position to make a serious impact on the future of perioperative care for cancer patients.”

The Team LeaderOperating department practitioners (ODPs) work with surgeons, anaesthetists and theatre nurses to ensure that every operation is as safe and effective as possible. ODPs need a broad knowledge base, including management and communication skills, and are involved with the assessment and delivery of perioperative care.

As an ODP with the role of Team Leader, Miriam Skeates co-ordinates the theatre staff rota and ensures the effective and timely running of the operating lists. Miriam is also Team Leader ODP for head and neck surgery, which means that she works to improve the service, ensuring that the patient remains the primary focus.

“I work closely with the head and neck multidisciplinary team, planning and preparing for major complex surgical cases,” she says. “I also carry out post-operative visits to patients to evaluate the care that

Theatre staff are the unsung heroes of surgery at The Royal Marsden, providing

essential perioperative care to our patients

b

Dr Matthew Hacking, Lead Anaesthetist (top), and Daniel Griffiths, Operating Department Practitioner (above)

18 RM MAGAZINE

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Surgery focus

RM MAGAZINE 19

they received in theatre. This allows me to have patient contact as I don’t get to meet them before their operations.

“Often, complex surgeries can last for around 12 hours so my role can be quite challenging and tiring. But it is a unique working environment and I feel privileged to be part of such a talented, dedicated team.”

The Operating Department Practitioner Daniel Griffiths is an Operating Department Practitioner specialising in anaesthetics. “I work with anaesthetists to make sure that a patient doesn’t have any pain from, or memory of, their procedure,” he says.

Daniel is also responsible for the ‘difficult airway’ trolley, which is used in anaesthetic emergencies when a patient is experiencing difficulties breathing. He says: “I work closely with the multidisciplinary team to carry out the best plan of care for patients. A patient cannot have an invasive operation without an anaesthetic, so our role is essential in a patient’s care journey.”

Daniel has contact with patients who have specific emotional and clinical needs, and he enjoys making a positive impact at an otherwise difficult time in their lives. “The job is very rewarding, but it can be a challenge. I work with a lot of great people who have become friends and that can help make the job a lot less stressful.”

The Recovery Staff NurseMartin Galligan is a Recovery Staff Nurse, caring for patients in the Recovery Unit immediately after their surgery. His role involves waking patients from their anaesthetic, making sure they are stable and helping to manage any pain they may have. Patients can be in recovery from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, or even overnight, depending on the complexity of their surgery.

“We are a really close team, which is important,” says Martin. “We often care for a number of patients who have varying health complexities, and it takes a real team effort to make sure all their needs are met.”

The team also looks at new ways to streamline care, processes and pain management following day surgery. Martin says: “Streamlining care is better for patients because the less time they spend in the Recovery Unit, the quicker they can start eating, drinking and moving – all of which helps speed up their recovery.” rm

Miriam Skeates, Operating Department Practitioner Team Leader (above left), and Martin Galligan, Recovery Staff Nurse (above)

MIRIAM SKEATES, OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTITIONER TEAM LEADER

Complex surgery can be challenging and tiring, but I am lucky to work with such a dedicated team

RM13_PG18-19_SurgerySupport_des8.indd 13 20/11/2012 14:47

rug development to treat paediatric cancers has rapidly grown at The Royal Marsden in the past five years.

The ambition to cure children who have cancer has led to the hospital becoming the UK’s leading centre for paediatric Phase I and II clinical trials and playing a key role in the development of new drugs for childhood cancers in Europe.

The opening of the state-of-the-art Oak Centre for Children and Young People (OCCYP) last year has greatly aided the ability of the centre’s drug development team to recruit patients onto studies. Professor Andy Pearson, Head of Drug Development at the OCCYP and Cancer Research UK Professor of Paediatric Oncology, says: “We currently have 12 trials running: seven are Phase I trials and five are Phase II. We strive to cure all children with cancer, but also want to improve the prognosis for four specific tumour types: high-risk neuroblastoma, high-grade glioma, high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma and leukaemia.

“All four of these have a low treatment success rate at present – between 20 and 40 per cent – so the drug development team is working hard to increase these rates. We hope that by opening Phase I trials, we will get more drugs into the clinical process.”

The centre’s larger children’s outpatients department and day care unit have helped accommodate the additional early-phase study patients for outpatient visits and trial-related investigations. The new dedicated ‘hot-lab’ facility, drug development research nurses and clinical fellows, and the

appointment of a tissue collector, means that samples can be prepared on site immediately, ensuring the quality of study samples and expediting shipment to the analysing facilities. The increase in the number of studies has broadened treatment options for a wider spectrum of poor-prognosis paediatric cancers.

Every young patient who experiences a relapse is now considered for Phase I and II trials of new drugs. “Parents regard our trials as offering hope and want their children to have access to new drugs,” says Dr Lynley Marshall, Oak Consultant in Paediatric Oncology Drug Development. “Thirty per cent of our paediatric early-phase trial patients have been referred to us from other centres around the country.

“We’ve had some excellent results. I have patients who were considered to have a very poor prognosis at the beginning of the year and are still doing well. It is hugely rewarding to see trial drugs working for young patients.”

d

20 RM MAGAZINE

Progress in childhood cancer treatments Pioneering work at the Oak Centre for Children and Young People has improved treatment options for a range of paediatric cancers

PAEDIATRIC DRUG DEVELOPMENT

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Surgery focus

RM MAGAZINE 19

CASE STUDY: Joan Hurst, mother of patient Clarissa, 15“Clarissa was diagnosed with a grade- four pineoblastoma two years ago. By the time it

was diagnosed, the tumour in her brain had spread down her spine. She had high-dose chemotherapy followed by six weeks of radiotherapy, but an MRI scan revealed that the brain tumour had started growing again.

“We took up the offer of an initial drug trial. Initially it worked, but the tumour returned again. We were then told about another trial using an adult drug: ridaforolimus. Clarissa was one of the first children to go on the trial in February and now takes a tablet every other day. So far, the tumour has stayed the same size. She is back at school and worrying about her GCSEs.

“I believe that the drug development team will keep finding something else for Clarissa. They’ve given me hope.” rm

Trials in the media spotlightIn a recent interview for Channel 4 News, Dr Julia Chisholm, Head of the Oak Centre for Children and Young People, discussed a trial taking place at the centre for relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft-tissue tumour affecting about 70–80 children and 35–40 adults each year in the UK.

Dr Chisholm is the UK Chief Investigator for this international trial, the first European trial in recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma that is open to both adults and children. The trial is a randomised Phase II study looking at the activity and tolerability of the combination of three drugs (vincristine, irinotecan and temozolomide) in relapsed and refractory rhabdomyosarcoma. The aim of the study is to define the efficacy of using vincristine and irinotecan alone or with temozolomide as standard therapy for patients with recurrent rhadomyosarcoma. The hope is then to add targeted therapies to the defined standard therapy in an attempt to produce a personalised medicine approach, leading to better outcomes in relapsed disease and new approaches for first-line therapies.

Paediatric cancers

Professor Andy Pearson, Head of Drug

Development at the OCCYP (previous page);

drug development under way in the ‘hot-lab’ (below)

RM13_PG20-21_DDU_des7.indd 13 20/11/2012 14:48

22 RM MAGAZINE

Helping someone to regain their strength and independence

makes my job very

rewarding

Varied days: Lizzie assesses the needs of her patients (left); discussing case notes and care plans with colleagues (above, right and below)

RM13_PG22-23_DITL_des7.indd 20 15/11/2012 11:31

Staff profile

RM MAGAZINE 23

fter a brisk cycle to work, my morning starts with multidisciplinary handovers on Wilson Ward and

with the physiotherapists in the Critical Care Unit (CCU). I review my caseload with the other occupational therapists and we plan our day ahead.

Patient assessments and rehabilitation sessions on Wilson Ward and the CCU take up much of the day. Cancer treatment can have both emotional and physical repercussions for a patient. I assess a patient’s functional and practical needs by finding out about their home life, routines and environment and then assessing and practising particular activities of daily life. This could be anything from mobility and practising personal care to performing kitchen tasks, which may prove physically harder after cancer treatment.

I once baked a cake with a patient in the CCU to help improve their sitting balance, upper limb strength, dexterity and exercise tolerance. Baking was an important activity for him, helping to restore a sense of normality. It was a fun task, but it also shows the variety of therapeutic activities we use in the CCU. As for the cake, it was enjoyed by the patient’s family on the CCU balcony.

From strength to strengthI’ve been in this role for three years, and love the fact that I cover a wide range of areas, seeing patients at different stages of their cancer journey. In the CCU, I’m involved in the early rehabilitation of patients to maximise their general strength and their independence with functional tasks such as getting out of bed, getting

washed and engaging in leisure activities on the ward. It’s a key stage of a patient’s rehabilitation, giving patients a greater sense of control and feeling of improvement.

On Wilson Ward, I tend to work with patients who may require discharge planning. Following assessment, I make recommendations for any discharge requirements, such as social services referrals, rehabilitation at home or arranging equipment to maximise their independence.

A holistic approachRelaxation therapy with both inpatients and outpatients is an important aspect of my work. Taking a holistic approach, I teach one-to-one techniques using guided visualisation or muscular relaxation to help patients manage fatigue, anxiety, pain or stress. Relaxation therapy gives patients the chance to relax in a tranquil environment.

Seeing a patient’s functionality improve or helping someone to regain their strength and independence makes my job very rewarding. Helping them achieve their goal to go home or manage anxiety with relaxation techniques makes me feel proud of what I do. I also enjoy working with my colleagues across all disciplines.

Effective teamwork provides the highest standard of care for our patients, and working so closely with such experienced and caring colleagues means that I always enjoy my job. This year, I was also lucky enough to represent The Royal Marsden in the Olympic Opening Ceremony. I wore my Royal Marsden badge on my costume and felt proud to be a part of such a momentous occasion. rm

Lizzie Jones Senior Occupational Therapist

A DAY IN THE LIFE

a

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24 RM MAGAZINE

Hospital groups

The Friends of The Royal Marsden, Chelsea have used an image from the chapel in the Chelsea hospital as one of the designs for their Christmas cards. It is the first time the chapel has been featured in the Christmas collection.

“It’s been an exciting project,” said Wendy Crabb, Chairman of The Friends of The Royal Marsden, Chelsea. “Lots of departments have worked together to make this happen, including the Medical Photography team, the hospital Chaplain Alistair McCulloch and, of course, our volunteers in The Friends shop.”

The result is a lovely card depicting one of the mosaic angels from behind the altar. The design is available from The Friends shop, trolley and

café along with a further selection of Christmas cards. All profits go to The Friends and their support of The Royal Marsden.

Lots of new gifts are also available in The Friends shop, including wash bags, photo frames, notelets and the new Lulu Guinness tote bag.

The Friends Carol ConcertOn Tuesday 4 December, The Friends Carol Concert took place at Holy Trinity Church in Sloane Square. Held jointly with The Royal Brompton and Chelsea and Westminster hospitals, the event was a lovely evening of wine and mince pies, featuring guest speakers including television personality Angela Rippon.

Christmas cards and gifts now available

THE FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL MARSDEN, CHELSEA

Detail from the Chelsea chapel (right) features on this year’s Christmas card selection

The Patient and Carer Advisory Group (PCAG) is represented in a large number of important committees throughout the hospital framework. The work we do highlights the scope of our engagement to improve the patient experience in all parts of the Trust, from our Chelsea and Sutton sites to our unit at Kingston Hospital and within Sutton and Merton Community Services.

I would like to highlight the significance of PCAG’s role. We are not just an advisory group: we are an engagement group to help better the Trust as it reflects on the patient experience. PCAG members sit on committees such as the Clinical Audit Committee, Equality and Diversity Committee, Integrated Governance and Risk Management Committee, the Patient Environment Action Team and the Pelvic Radiation Steering Group to name but a few.

As well as our committee work, we also scrutinise the

NEW PCAG CHAIRMAN TAKES STOCK

Trust’s information booklets, run our successful Listening Post scheme and work with the hospital’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service and the Customer Service Excellence Steering Group.

PCAG members have a particular interest in many different areas, namely the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, chemotherapy waiting times, the vital role of the breast care clinical nurse specialist, and improvements in the hospital’s automated switchboard. We are looking forward to our continued work in these areas.

PCAG plays a significant role within the framework of the Trust and we have achieved a lot over the years. We do face some challenges ahead in how we can best engage with patients and staff within Sutton and Merton Community Services, but as well as developing a strategy for this, my focus as Chairman is to ensure PCAG continues its important work.

PCAG AND THE FRIENDS

Charles took over from previous PCAG Chairman Mandie Adams McGuire and will remain in this role until 2014

Charles McGregor, Chairman of the Patient and Carer Advisory Group

Charles McGregor, Chairman of the Patient and Carer Advisory Group, refl ects on the group’s important role

selection

RM13_PG24_PCAG_Friends_des7.indd 25 20/11/2012 14:50

RM MAGAZINE 25

or two years running, The Marsden March has surpassed all expectations.

In light of the huge enthusiasm and support for the event, the 2013 event on Sunday 17 March is open to even more walkers, giving many more patients, staff, family and friends of The Royal Marsden a chance to take part.

Registration is now open for the 14-mile sponsored walk from our Chelsea hospital to our Sutton hospital and the family- friendly five-mile route between King George’s Playing Fields in Merton and The Royal Marsden in Sutton. At the finish line, there will be a party with live music, a BBQ, children’s entertainment and various stalls and activities.

Last year, the five-mile event attracted more families with young children than ever before. Michelle Stepney, who was

TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended the Audi Polo Challenge

Every year at The Royal Marsden, we place thousands of stars on our Christmas trees – each one celebrating the life of a loved one.

This year, the Christmas tree lights will be switched on at 6pm on Tuesday 11 December in Sutton and Thursday 13 December in Chelsea, followed by a short carol service to celebrate the lives of those we love.

To find out more, visit www.royalmarsden.org/star

Celebrate a Life this year

In 2012, The Marsden March raised over £1 million. This year, we’re hoping to go one step better

The Marsden March: back for a third year

treated for cervical cancer at The Royal Marsden six years ago, took part in 2012 with her family. She said: “I am forever grateful to The Royal Marsden. The Marsden March was wonderful and was poignant for us, as we did it as a family.”

All the funds raised from The Marsden March go directly to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which supports the work of The Royal Marsden.

To get involved, visit www.royalmarsden.org/march

There’s still time to buy your Christmas cards from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s Christmas selection, which includes a wide range of cards, wrapping paper, 2013 diaries and pin badges. Order online at www.royalmarsden.org/shop by Monday 10 December to ensure you receive your cards in plenty of time before last posting. Alternatively, visit our fundraising offices in Chelsea and Sutton during office hours and purchase cards any time until Christmas.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

F

Fundraising

THE ROYAL MARSDEN CANCER CHARITY

RM13_PG25_Fundraising_des3.indd 26 20/11/2012 14:52

26 RM MAGAZINE

Celebrating a decade of innovation

Since 2002, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has raised £100 million to fund developments in cancer research, diagnosis, treatment and care. As we celebrate, vital support is still needed

ver the course of 2013, we will be celebrating 10 years of incredible fundraising

achievements. We will also be looking ahead to the next 10 years and our vision of even greater progress, as cancer treatment becomes ever more personalised.

Fundraising and philanthropy have been central to the development of the hospital for decades, which prompted the formation of our official charity The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity on 31 December 2002.

Over the past decade, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has raised £100 million and funded a variety of pioneering developments, including CyberKnife, the latest in radiotherapy technology; the da Vinci S, a robot which has revolutionised prostate surgery; the Critical Care Unit, the only facility in the UK providing full

intensive care exclusively for cancer patients; and the Oak Centre for Children and Young People, Europe’s leading centre for children and young people.

Our year-long campaign, ten10 – a decade of innovation at The Royal Marsden, will celebrate a different project every month and highlight the impact it has had on cancer treatment both at The Royal Marsden and across the country.

This is only half the story, though. There is much more still to be achieved. Over the next 10 years, there will be even greater progress as cancer treatment becomes ever more personalised. Our world-leading consultants will be sharing their visions for the next decade and the exciting developments that hold so much potential. Our ten10 campaign aims to highlight the innovation the charity has made possible

over the past decade, and share the exciting visions of how cancer treatment will change for the benefit of cancer patients at The Royal Marsden and beyond. Supporting the charity and raising money will be more important than ever if we are

to make these visions a reality and continue to invest in the latest technology, facilities and research at The Royal Marsden.

To watch a film about our ten10 campaign and to find out how you can get involved, visit www.royalmarsden.org/ten10

O

This year, make your birthday really count by donating it to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Simply ask friends and family to make a donation instead of buying you presents. It could be the cost of a beer or a meal out – every penny will make a difference to people with cancer.

Many hospital staff are taking part, from Chief Executive Cally Palmer and Medical Director Professor Martin Gore to Head of Radiotherapy Dr Vincent Khoo and Community Fundraising Manager Amanda Heaton.

Donating your birthday will help us continue investing in world-class innovation at The Royal Marsden to benefit cancer patients everywhere. To donate your birthday, simply visit www.royalmarsden.org/ten10

DONATE YOUR BIRTHDAY

RM13_PG26-27_Fundraising10_des11.indd 26 20/11/2012 14:55

RM MAGAZINE 27

Fundraising

da Vinci S robotic surgery treated 200+ patients in 2009/10

CyberKnife treated 200+ patients in its first year at The Royal Marsden

300 young inpatients a year are treated at the OCCYP

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28 RM MAGAZINE

FOUNDATION NEWS

Why The Royal Marsden needs more Foundation Trust MembersAs an NHS Foundation Trust, The Royal Marsden is accountable to the communities that it serves, and an essential part of the way that we do this is through our Members.

It is vital that people join the Trust as Members, as not only is it a requirement of a Foundation Trust on which it is measured, but fundamentally it helps the hospital to maintain a patient-centred focus.

Whether a person’s interest in the Trust is as a patient, as a carer or as someone affected by cancer, it is vital that we have as many Members as possible.

MEMBERSHIP MATTERSJoin The Royal Marsden as a Member and help the hospital to stay patient-focused

can be invited to Members’ Events, which range from clinical presentations by pioneering experts to behind-the-scenes tours of the hospital and leading-edge technology.

Governors, elected by Members, represent community interests at the highest level in the Trust. They sit alongside the Board of Directors and ensure our accountability to the communities the Trust serves.

Making a differenceJoining as a Member gives you the opportunity to support and get involved with one of the world’s leading cancer centres. As a Foundation Trust, we have freedom to develop services for our patients, and by staying

What is Membership?Membership is a simple way for anyone who takes an interest in The Royal Marsden to make a difference. It’s free to join and allows people to show their support of the hospital and the services that it provides.

Members receive information that keeps them updated on the Trust’s work – including a copy of RM magazine – and

IVY DOUGLAS, PATIENT MEMBER

I have a great admiration and attachment to your hospital after my treatment there last year – it is a way of showing appreciation and support

KATE LANCEY-SMITH, PUBLIC MEMBER

I like being able to keep up to date with what is happening and to receive the lovely RM magazine

connected with Members, we are able to use their input to shape our services.

If you are over 16 years old and live in England, you can become a Member. It is free, and you can get involved as much or as little as you wish. As a Member, you can also have the chance to vote for or stand as a Governor, representing the interests of patients, carers or the local community.

Spread the wordIf you’re already a Member, help us to spread the Membership message to your friends, family and colleagues and encourage the people you know to join and support The Royal Marsden.

Members take part in a round-table discussion (above) and tour the Critical Care Unit (left)

Join now...Pick up a leaflet from around the Trust, visit www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/membership or call the Foundation Trust Office on 020 7808 2844.

RM13_PG28-29_Foundation_des9.indd 28 20/11/2012 14:57

Foundation news

RM MAGAZINE 29

Your Governors at a glancePatient Governors◆ Paediatric and AdolescentStacey Munns◆ South West LondonAnita Gray, Fiona Stewart, Edward Crocker, Liz Coyne ◆ East Elmbridge & Mid-SurreyDr James Laxton, Simon Spevack◆ Greater London Dr Geoff Harding, Hilary Bateson◆ Elsewhere in EnglandSally Mason, Vikki Orvice

Carer GovernorsLesley-Ann Gooden, John Preston, John Howard

Public Governors◆ Kensington & ChelseaDr Carol Joseph◆ Sutton & MertonTony Hazeldine◆ Elsewhere in EnglandAnn Curtis

Staff Governors◆ Doctor Professor Ian Smith◆ Nurse Lorraine Hyde◆ Other clinical professional Nina Kite◆ Non-clinicalKim Andrews

Nominated Governors◆ Institute of Cancer Research Cathy Scivier◆ Primary Care ReferrerDr Chris Elliott◆ South West London Cancer Network vacant ◆ West London Cancer Network vacant◆ London Borough of Kensington & ChelseaCouncillor Robert Freeman ◆ Sutton & Merton PCTDr Martyn Wake◆ Croydon PCT vacant◆ NHS Kensington & Chelsea Mable Wu◆ Surrey PCT vacant◆ Cancer Research UK (charity) Kate Law◆ University Partner vacant

Keep in contactIf you would like to contact a Governor, call the Foundation Trust Office on 020 7808 2844.

Date for your diary

Tuesday 4 December 2012, 11am–1pm in the Board Room, The Royal Marsden, Fulham Road, Chelsea.

Survey success The Trust has received the results of the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, which saw more than 1,600 Royal Marsden patients provide their views.

The overall experience of patients was rated very highly at 92 per cent, and the Trust was in the top 10 per cent of Foundation Trusts that had shown the most improvement. To ensure that the voice of patients is heard, Governors will be kept updated on the plans to address areas for improvement through the Council of Governors and the Patient Experience Feedback Group.

Feedback on the experience of patients is vital to the Trust. As part of their role in representing the interests of Members, Governors are involved in forums through which assurance is sought. They continue to receive regular reports on Quality Accounts at every Council of Governors meeting in order to monitor progress towards quality targets, and are also involved in the process for producing the Annual Quality Account Report, ensuring that it focuses on priorities for patients and the public and is presented in a way that is accessible to them.

he theme of the Trust’s Annual General Meeting, held

on 26 September, focused on ‘The future of cancer research’.

R. Ian Molson, Chairman of The Royal Marsden, welcomed guests, including Foundation Trust Members, and chaired the formal business of the meeting, during which Governors received the 2011–12 Annual Report and Accounts as part of their statutory role in assuring the Trust on behalf of Members. He added that the Trust was “well served by the management team”.

Chief Executive Cally Palmer praised staff as a precious resource and thanked Governors for their contribution, saying that they had demonstrated a

powerful commitment to the Trust. She then provided an update on the developments and key achievements at the Trust, as well as plans for the year ahead.

Alan Goldsman, Director of Finance, provided a review of the Trust’s financial performance and a forecast. The audience also had the opportunity to ask questions of the Board of Directors.

Keynote presentations came from Professor Mitch Dowsett, who discussed the new Centre for Molecular Pathology at Sutton, and Professor David Cunningham, who, in his new role as Director of Clinical Research, spoke about the challenges and focus for research and development at the Trust.

AGM ROUNDUP

Cally Palmer, Royal Marsden Chief

Executive, and R. Ian Molson, Royal

Marsden Chairman

Council of Governors meeting

RM13_PG28-29_Foundation_des9.indd 29 15/11/2012 15:02

30 RM MAGAZINE

Test your witsComplete our crossword and you could win a £50 John Lewis voucher

PRIZE DRAWS & STAR LETTER TERMS & CONDITIONS: 1. The Prize Draws and Star Letter are open to all readers of RM except employees of the Press Offi ce at The Royal Marsden and Sunday, who produce RM magazine. 2. The closing date for receipt of all entries is Friday 18 January 2013. Only one entry per person per draw. 3. Responsibility cannot be accepted for entries that are incomplete, illegible or not received. Proof of posting is not proof of receipt. No cash alternative is available and prizes are not transferable. Value of prizes is correct at time of going to press. 4. Winners will be notifi ed by post within 14 days of closing date. 5. The Promoter’s decision on any aspect of the promotions is fi nal and binding and no correspondence will be entered into. 6. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value should circumstances make this necessary. 7. Entry implies acceptance of rules. 8. The winner of the Star Letter prize of £50 of John Lewis vouchers is the sender of the best letter selected by RM magazine. 9. The winner of the crossword prize of £50 of John Lewis vouchers will be the fi rst correct entry drawn out of the bag. 10. The Promoter is The Royal Marsden Hospital, 203 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ.

The lucky winner of our prize crossword will receive £50 of John Lewis vouchers. We also welcome your thoughts on RM magazine and love to hear about your experiences at the hospital. Star Letters win a £50 John Lewis voucher.Send your crossword or letter with your name and contact details to RM, Press Office, The Royal Marsden, Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3 6JJ. The closing date for entry is Friday 18 January 2013. See below for prize draw rules.

Win!SUDOKU

I would like to place on record the quiet and peaceful chapel at The Royal Marsden in Chelsea.

Many a night, while my mum was having her stay and treatment at the hospital, it became my refuge, and a refuge for many others.Thank you, Andy Strowman

PRIZE CROSSWORDAcross1 Tropical bird (6)4 Professional cook (4)7 Chocolate powder (5)8 ‘Funny bone’ nerve (5)10 Pressing (6)12 Sprocket (3)14 Beverage (3)15 Provide evidence for (6)18 Proprietor (5)19 Saying (5)20 Profi t (4)21 Ravine (6)

Down1 Diplomacy (4)2 Unsure (9)3 Subside (5)5 Search for food (6)6 Right and fair (4)9 Essential (9)11 Fish trap (3)13 Powerful (6)15 Location of the Taj Mahal (4)16 Bejewelled headdress (5)17 Blood vessel (4)

Congratulations to Jean Jennings, who won last issue’s crossword prize.

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6 3

493

2

8

46 7

681

5

19

5

12

6

26

59

93

1110

21

Star letter

PUZZLES & PRIZES

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IN THE NEXT ISSUERM brings you the latest hospital updates, research news, inspiring

stories and exclusive interviews. The spring 2013 issue is coming soon…

FOR THE ROYAL MARSDEN

Rachael Reeve – Director of Marketing and Communications Elaine Parr – Head of PR and Communications Naomi Owen – PR and Communications Manager

Belinda Lock – Senior Press Officer Catherine O’Mara – Senior Press Officer Marie-Thérèse Shepherd – Press Officer

FOR SUNDAYLucy Ryan – Editor Marc Grainger – Deputy Editor Catherine Hopkinson – Art Director

Mathilda Evans – Account Director Matt Beaven – Creative DirectorToby Smeeton – Managing Director

RM magazine is published by The Royal Marsden in partnership with Sunday: sundaypublishing.com

© The Royal Marsden 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without prior permission of the Editor. The Royal Marsden and Sunday accept no responsibility for the views expressed by contributors to the magazine. Repro by F1 Colour. Printed by Pureprint.

More news on the Centre for Molecular Pathology

Prostate cancer in focus

Pioneering radiotherapy at The Royal Marsden

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Documents

RM Magazine, winter 2012