Life demands excellence
magazine – autumn 2015
Inside the Biobank Visit the deep-freeze facility where we preserve patient samples for vital research
At the forefront of sarcoma treatment The importance of continued education
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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.
RM MAGAZINE
l Executive notes
Contents 12 A learning process
How we invest in all our staff to maximise their potential
16 A day in the life
Meet patient Sharon Jack, who is on her fifth clinical trial
18 Taking on rare cancers The Royal Marsden leads the way in managing sarcoma
22 Frozen in time
Why we created one of the UK’s largest cancer biobanks
24 The work of our President
Looking back on the efforts of HRH The Duke of Cambridge
Regulars 04 Hospital news 21 It happened to me 26 Fundraising 28 Foundation news 30 Puzzles & prizes
Cover photograph: Tissue Bank Manager Janine Salter in the Cancer Biobank at The Royal Marsden
Welcome
to the autumn 2015 edition of RM, the magazine for our staff, patients, carers and Foundation Trust members. In this issue, we look at the work of our Sarcoma Unit (page 18), which is one of the largest in the UK and is pioneering new, innovative techniques to treat this rare form of cancer. As one of the world’s leading cancer centres, we pride ourselves on the continuing education, development and training of all our staff. We have an important role in providing training opportunities for junior doctors, as well as ongoing support in the professional development of staff throughout their career. We also host The Royal Marsden School, the UK’s largest dedicated provider of specialist cancer education, offering a wide range of courses in cancer and palliative care for internal and external colleagues. Find out more on page 12. Finally, we look back at the research breakthroughs presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting this year (page 4). The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research had a number of our clinicians at the conference, presenting excellent trial results across melanoma, breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancer. I hope you enjoy reading this issue of RM.
Cally Palmer CBE, Chief Executive, The Royal Marsden
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HOSPITAL NEWS
PIONEERING RESEARCH PRESENTED AT ASCO eading consultants from The Royal Marsden presented the results of their groundbreaking research at the 2015 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in June. ASCO is seen as the world’s most important oncology conference, attracting 30,000 professionals from around the globe. The Royal Marsden has a leading presence each year to present new data from trials that our oncologists have led, or been involved with.
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This melanoma patient, whose cancer had spread to her lungs, took part in The Royal Marsden’s immunotherapy trial. The scans show her tumour before the trial (left) and after 12 weeks of initial treatment (main image)
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Hospital news
Immunotherapy breakthrough One of the conference’s most high-profile stories was a breakthrough in immunotherapy – treatment that harnesses the body’s immune system to attack cancerous cells. Results from a Phase III trial led by Dr James Larkin, a Consultant Medical Oncologist specialising in melanoma, discovered that a combination of the immuneboosting drugs ipilimumab and nivolumab stopped this type of skin cancer advancing for nearly a year in 58 per cent of cases. Dr Larkin told BBC News: “By giving these drugs together, you take two brakes off the immune system rather than one, so the immune system can recognise tumours it previously couldn’t and react and destroy them. “For immunotherapies, we’ve never seen shrinkage rates over 50 per cent – it’s very significant for the future of cancer treatment.”
New breast cancer drug Dr Nicholas Turner, a Consultant Medical Oncologist, is the lead author for PALOMA-3, a Phase III trial that tested the new breast cancer drug palbociclib on oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer – the most common form, affecting three in four women with the disease. It showed that the drug, in combination with fulvestrant, more than doubled the duration of disease control, increasing it by about five months. The findings were so exciting that investigators stopped the trial early to begin making the drug available in the UK – possibly towards the end of 2016. Dr Turner said: “This relatively easy-to-take new drug can delay the point when women need to start chemotherapy.” Both Dr Larkin’s and Dr Turner’s trials were published in the New England Journal of Medicine at the same time as being presented
Dr James Larkin
Dr Nicholas Turner
Mr Andrew Hayes
Dr Lizzy Smyth
at ASCO. To have two first-author papers from different Royal Marsden units in the world’s top medical journal simultaneously is unprecedented.
Reviewing melanoma excisions Mr Andrew Hayes, a Consultant Surgeon in the Skin Unit, was the lead author on a trial looking at the long-term follow-up of survival of patients who had wide or narrow excision margins for high-risk primary melanoma. Earlier data showed that a narrow excision margin (1cm) meant patients were more likely to develop a recurrence of the cancer in the lymph nodes, or in the skin around the melanoma, than those with a wide margin (3cm). There was, however, no statistically significant difference between the two margins when looking at rates of survival from melanoma. This study undertook further analysis from the original trial, and results showed that, with longer follow-up, the risk of death from melanoma was significantly
higher with a 1cm excision – which is detrimental for patients with a ‘thick’ melanoma.
Trial prevents tumour growth Dr Lizzy Smyth, Clinical Research Fellow in the Gastrointestinal and Lymphoma Department, presented her findings from a trial that she led with Dr Turner and Professor David Cunningham, Head of the Gastrointestinal Unit. The trial investigated whether the drug AZD4547 is helpful in gastric, oesophageal and breast tumours that have extra copies of the FGFR gene, which some cancers depend on for growth. AZD4547 blocks the activity of the FGFR gene and stops the tumour growing. Dr Smyth and her team have seen promising effects in patients with breast and stomach cancer, with significant decreases in the size of some tumours. The team in Dr Turner’s lab has also developed a blood test to detect extra copies of the FGFR gene, potentially eliminating the need for a biopsy. RM MAGAZINE 05
Hospital news
BACK ON THE WARD enior nurses at The Royal Marsden in Sutton and Chelsea are returning to the front line every Tuesday, supporting clinical colleagues and sharing their expertise and skills as clinicians, leaders, researchers and managers. The Clinical Tuesdays initiative, launched earlier this year by Chief Nurse Dr Shelley Dolan and Deputy Chief Nurse Sarah Rushbrooke, enables senior nurses to share their wealth of knowledge and experience while maintaining an understanding of the challenges faced by clinical staff. Sarah said: “It’s fantastic to see and hear the camaraderie among staff – of all levels and roles – and patients. Some of the feedback from patients on the care and compassion shown by our staff is really heartwarming – it reminds you why you got involved in nursing. “We have also been able to offer advice to junior colleagues on different approaches to challenges they face. In some cases, we’ve been able to show nurses how they can identify research or service projects to improve patient care. In addition, we have been able to widely share the excellent care being delivered and the innovative ideas being generated on a daily basis.” Dr Dolan said: “More than 12 senior nurses are regularly taking part in Clinical Tuesdays and the feedback we have received has been wonderful. “At The Royal Marsden, senior nurses always carried out clinical care, but I feel that Clinical Tuesdays have made us more visible to patients and their families, fellow nurses and the multiprofessional team that provide care.”
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It’s fantastic to see and hear the camaraderie among staff and patients SARAH RUSHBROOKE, DEPUTY CHIEF NURSE, THE ROYAL MARSDEN
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Dr Shelley Dolan, Chief Nurse (above, right) and Sarah Rushbrooke, Deputy Chief Nurse (below, left) launched the Clinical Tuesdays initiative to highlight the role of senior nurses in clinical care
Hospital news
TRIAL TEAM WINS BMJ IMAGING AWARD rofessor Gina Brown and her team have been awarded the 2015 BMJ Imaging Team of the Year honour for their work to improve the imaging of rectal cancers and to reduce unnecessary surgery. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to locate and map the tumour site more accurately has led to improved outcomes for patients with low rectal cancer, with a reduced risk of long-term damage. Professor Brown, Chief Investigator of the MERCURY II trial at The Royal Marsden, said: “When we started, clinicians wanted to perform major operations to remove the rectum and treat all patients with radiotherapy. It’s a very radical operation but some patients don’t need it, and the side effects can ruin your life.” The trial, funded by the Pelican Cancer Foundation,
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looked at the use of MRI for staging rectal cancer and aimed to validate an MRI classification system for cancers in the lowest third of the rectum, where outcomes were worse. “MRI produces exquisite detailed
Members of the MERCURY II team, including Dr Anita Wale, Royal Marsden Radiology Research Fellow, receiving the award
pictures, enabling the surgeon to operate more precisely,” said Professor Brown. The incomplete removal of the rectal tumour previously occurred in about 30 per cent of cases, but improved imaging helped to reduce this rate to nine per cent. This incidence was even lower in patients whose MRI scans showed that sphincter-preserving surgery without preoperative radiotherapy was possible. The technique has been disseminated nationally through training backed by the Department of Health. A national registry has been set up and is expected to show a reduction in the permanent colostomy rates. Judges at the BMJ Awards said that Professor Brown’s group “is a world-leading partnership addressing a major health need – improved outcomes for rectal cancer patients.”
New chemotherapy advice Chemotherapy information sessions have been launched at The Royal Marsden in Chelsea for patients who are about to start treatment. Staff from the Medical Day Unit (MDU) host the sessions every six weeks to give new patients an idea of what to expect. Senior Staff Nurses Kirsten McDonald and Laura Anderson set up the project in the summer. Laura said: “Starting treatment is daunting and many patients are anxious when they first arrive. We want to relieve that stress and reassure them before they come to the unit, to make their whole journey as easy as possible.”
Senior Staff Nurses Kirsten McDonald (left) and Laura Anderson
Live tweet shortlist
Patients are given a tour of the facility and can bring along a family member or friend. They are given information about side
effects, scalp cooling to reduce hair loss and supportive therapies on offer. They can also speak to other patients.
The Royal Marsden was shortlisted for a prestigious CorpComms DigiAward in the ‘most innovative use of Twitter’ category. We were recognised for live tweeting robotassisted surgery as part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. It was the first time that surgeons at The Royal Marsden had invited the online community into the operating theatre. RM MAGAZINE 07
Hospital news
Dr Shelize Khakoo, Clinical Research Fellow
RELAPSE TEST ON TRIAL study investigating whether a blood test can predict relapse earlier than conventional methods in patients with colorectal cancer is due to open at The Royal Marsden this year. Dr Shelize Khakoo, Clinical Research Fellow at the hospital,
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said: “Modern technology allows us to detect DNA fragments, containing cancer-specific markers or mutations that originate from the tumour, in blood samples. These cancerspecific DNA fragments are called ctDNA and offer us unique opportunities in oncology.”
The TRACC study will investigate whether the persistence or reappearance of ctDNA following surgery with curative intent can predict relapse earlier and more accurately than standard methods, at a time when curative surgery may still be possible.
Dr Khakoo added: “Some patients are offered chemotherapy after surgery in order to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. “We know that only a proportion of patients will benefit directly from this and treatment decisions are currently guided by specific risk features. “We hope that ctDNA analysis within this study will ultimately help identify a subset of patients that are unlikely to benefit from chemotherapy. We would then be able to safely spare these patients from chemotherapy and its associated side effects.” The study will recruit up to 1,000 newly diagnosed stage 2 and 3 colorectal cancer patients over three years, from sites within the London Cancer Alliance and in collaboration with three Biomedical Research Centres. Professor David Cunningham, Director of Clinical Research at The Royal Marsden and Director of the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at The Institute of Cancer Research, is the Chief Investigator of the TRACC trial.
Aspirin study open to breast cancer patients Royal Marsden patients with early-stage breast cancer will be invited to join a new trial to look at the benefits of aspirin taken after treatment. The Add-Aspirin randomised Phase III trial will compare people who take aspirin with those who take placebo tablets
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to determine if aspirin stops or delays the cancer’s return. Dr Alistair Ring, Consultant Medical Oncologist, said: “This is an exciting trial, as aspirin is widely available globally and may have an anti-cancer effect. “There is a considerable body of preclinical data to
support the suggestion that aspirin is a potential effective adjuvant cancer therapy.” Dr Ring will be leading the breast cohort of the study in the UK from October, where more than 3,000 patients will be recruited over the next three years. The study, which is also
open to patients with stomach, oesophagus, prostate and bowel cancers, is funded by Cancer Research UK, the National Institute for Health Research’s Health Technology Assessment Programme and Bayer, and will recruit nearly 10,000 patients in the UK and India.
Hospital news
Patient involvement is key Industry engagement boosts research
Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr Jervoise Andreyev is one of the leaders of the FOCCUS trial, which was inspired by patients’ suggestions
atients, carers and the public are playing a vital role in shaping research at The Royal Marsden. The Trust’s public and patient involvement (PPI) strategy aims to involve patients and the public at every stage of the research cycle, ensuring that our work reflects issues considered important and relevant to those potentially affected by it. One example of this is the FOCCUS trial, which is investigating ways to help cancer patients manage gastrointestinal (GI) side effects following chemotherapy. The trial was launched following a generous donation by the Philip Gould Tribute Fund, which was set up by Dame Gail Rebuck, whose late husband Lord Philip Gould was treated at The Royal Marsden. Dame Gail is a member of the trial committee, along with two other user representatives who helped shape the study. Dr Jervoise Andreyev, Consultant Gastroenterologist at The Royal Marsden and one of the team leading the trial, said: “Patients have told us that they are grateful for living longer but want a better quality of
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life. Many unpleasant GI side effects – such as diarrhoea, reflux, wind and bloating – occur in patients receiving chemotherapy. “FOCCUS aims to identify the cause of these symptoms and find new, practical ways of treating them that could be used in every chemotherapy clinic in the country.” Min Cheung, Patient and Public Involvement Manager, said: “This trial was inspired by patients’ suggestions and is a great illustration of how they can have an impact on the research we do. We are continuously working with patients and the public so that our research better reflects the wants of our patients, as well as being carried out with them.”
The FOCCUS trial is a great illustration of how patients can have an impact on our research
The Royal Marsden is collaborating with industry partners in order to increase the efficiency of setting up clinical trials. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has set benchmarks for the time taken to open trials and to deliver recruitment, with the aim of accelerating patient access to innovative treatments and boosting the UK’s life sciences activity. Industry collaboration is a major focus of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research. As a result, we are meeting both of the NIHR targets. Dr Naureen Starling, Consultant Medical Oncologist in the Gastrointestinal Unit at The Royal Marsden and Associate Director of Clinical Research, said: “To help us open clinical trials more quickly – and maintain our position as being one of the fastest at trial set-up – we introduced regular meetings with the main groups involved, including clinical research teams and support services such as pharmacy, radiology, pathology and contracts. These forums provide an effective way to resolve practical issues. “In conjunction with industry, we developed an ‘industry pack’ for commercial sponsors to promote partnership working and provide them with local knowledge on how to set up clinical trials quickly and efficiently at The Royal Marsden. This improves our relationship with industry, supports the UK’s profile in contracted cancer research and leads to more trials for our patients, thereby ensuring they have access to the latest clinical research.”
MIN CHEUNG, PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MANAGER, THE ROYAL MARSDEN
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Hospital news
Moira Dixon (left) was interviewed about the LEGACY Study by Cathy Newman from Channel 4 News
NEWS IN BRIEF EXCELLENCE RECOGNISED In 2008, we were proud to have been the first hospital in England to be awarded the Customer Service Excellence Standard in recognition of public services that are ‘efficient, effective, excellent, equitable and empowering — with the citizen always and everywhere at the heart of public services provision’. We are assessed regularly and, after a visit this year to The Royal Marsden in Sutton and the chemotherapy daycare unit in Kingston, we met the criteria of the standard for the seventh year. The assessor visited a diverse selection of facilities — including the Rapid Diagnostic and Assessment Centre, the Oak Centre for Children and Young People, Radiotherapy and Smithers Ward — and spoke to a range of inpatients, outpatients, carers and parents, ward sisters, nurses, and clinical technicians. They commented that the service is “entirely focused on the needs of patients and their families, and not surprisingly you achieve very high rates of customer satisfaction. Patients spoke in very glowing terms of the treatment they were receiving, especially the care shown by all the staff.”
SIGNING UP TO SAFETY The Royal Marsden has joined the national Sign up to Safety campaign to reduce avoidable harm and make patient care safer. The NHS England campaign aims to reduce harm by 50 per cent and save 6,000 lives nationally over three years. Our plan highlights three safety priorities that we will focus on in order to reduce harm: sepsis (bacterial infection of a wound or tissue), medicines and pressure sores. We are joining colleagues across England to pilot safer practices and care, and more effective communication.
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LEAVING A LEGACY new breast cancer study – the first of its kind in the UK – is set to tackle some of the most challenging questions surrounding the disease. The LEGACY Study for Secondary Breast Cancer, sponsored by The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research, and funded by Breast Cancer
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NOW, allows patients with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer to donate their tissue for research after their death. Led by Chief Investigator Mr Peter Barry, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at The Royal Marsden, the study relies on accessing metastatic tissues quickly to maintain the integrity of their key bio-molecules.
Mr Barry said: “These donated tissues will form an invaluable resource for breast cancer research, to better understand how some cancer cells can spread from the primary breast tumour and form new tumours at different body sites.” Royal Marsden patient Moira Dixon, who is part of the LEGACY Study, said: “The programme appealed to me because I wanted to show my appreciation to the medical profession that had kept me alive. I also wanted my life to have some value after I passed away.”
I wanted my life to have some value after I passed away MOIRA DIXON, ROYAL MARSDEN PATIENT AND LEGACY STUDY PARTICIPANT
New report highlights that we listen to patient feedback Members of the Patient and Carer Advisory Group (PCAG), together with Royal Marsden staff, have collaborated with Macmillan Cancer Support on a report aimed at driving improvement in cancer treatment, using examples of hospital trusts across the UK. The report, ‘Using Cancer Patient Experience Survey data to drive improvement’, presented case studies from a number of hospital trusts to show how they used
patient experience data to improve cancer services. The Royal Marsden case study was included to provide an example of a trust with a ‘patient-centred culture’. Fiona Stewart, PCAG Member, was among those quoted in the report, highlighting how the Trust engages with patients. She said: “PCAG is about giving the patient perspective on new initiatives. We carry out direct observations, conduct
surveys with patients and attend hospital project meetings to advise on service improvements.” The Macmillan report noted: “The Royal Marsden is an organisation that listens to feedback and makes changes, however small, to improve experience.” If you are a patient or carer and would like to be involved in PCAG, please call 020 7808 2176 or email craig.mortimer@rmh.nhs.uk
Hospital news
FRIENDS UPDATE
Nurse turns MP
An archive photograph from the 1950s showing a radiotherapy machine donated by The Friends of The Royal Marsden
CHELSEA FRIENDS REACH MILESTONE CHELSEA
In May, the Friends at Chelsea celebrated their 80th anniversary with a Summer Drinks Party, raising £28,000 to fund vital equipment for Royal Marsden patients. The Friends originally started in 1935 as the Ladies Association to support the work of the hospital and its patients, and the Friends Café even stayed open during the Second World War. Over the years, the Friends have been able to fund important items including wheelchairs,
blood pressure monitors, and invisible tattoo machines for radiotherapy, and in 1992 fully equipped one of the new operating theatres in Chelsea at a cost of £200,000. Today, the Friends comprise almost 230 volunteers, who are dedicated to making the hospital environment more comfortable and amenable to patients and staff.
SUTTON
The Friends at Sutton have recently funded a total
refurbishment of the Outpatients area at a cost of over £75,000. The renovations included new flooring, seating and repainting the whole area in brighter colours. This project was undertaken partly due to patient feedback, which the Friends’ volunteers collected on behalf of the hospital. The Friends were pleased to support a project that will benefit the significant number of patients who use this area. Glynis Knowles, a Sister in Outpatients, said: “It is like working in a new department. Most importantly, the patients love it and have commented on the improvement.”
Maria Caulfield, Research Nurse in the Breast Unit at The Royal Marsden, has become the Conservative MP for Lewes after being elected with a majority of 1,083 votes at this year’s general election. Maria has worked at The Royal Marsden since 1996 but will now reduce the hours she spends nursing to concentrate on politics. Maria said: “The Royal Marsden has been a huge part of my life and I’m going to miss seeing the team and patients every day. Some patients on the Breast Unit have been coming for decades so I’ve got to know them really well. “As a nurse, I am passionate about not only protecting NHS services but also improving them. During the election, voters were keen to see people with real life experience in Westminster in order to explain what will and won’t work for the NHS.”
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DR MARTIN ROOMS
Clinical Fellow in Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine Dr Rooms joined The Royal Marsden in 2012 as a trainee anaesthetic registrar. He then continued his training at University College Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital, before returning to The Royal Marsden in 2015 in his current role. “As a trainee at The Royal Marsden, my department was hugely supportive of me using my study leave to go on relevant courses,” says Dr Rooms. “You learn so much at The Royal Marsden because you are exposed to patients other centres wouldn’t treat. “Now, I’m involved with study sessions for pre-assessment nurses and critical simulation scenarios within theatres, which helps anaesthetists, surgeons and theatre staff identify areas that we can work on.”
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Continuing education
CRUCIAL TO STANDARDS OF CARE
A learning process At The Royal Marsden, we offer education programmes for junior doctors from the UK and all over the world, as well as investing in the development of all our staff – clinical and non-clinical – to ensure they achieve their maximum potential
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s one of the world’s leading cancer centres, The Royal Marsden has shared its knowledge of cancer diagnosis, treatment and research through education programmes for the past 160 years. Today, we are proud to offer in-house training courses and educational opportunities – as well as study leave and financial support – to all of our staff to continue their professional development, whichever field they work in.
Clinical skills development
The Royal Marsden offers a worldrenowned education programme for healthcare professionals who want to develop their knowledge and skills in cancer care. Every year, the Trust employs more than 200 junior doctors from across the UK and the world. All junior doctors receive a budget from local education and training boards and The Royal Marsden for personal study leave, and are given time to attend conferences and courses to further their education and development. And, through
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) library, they also have access to exceptional educational resources such as books and journals, both at the ICR campus in Sutton and online. “It is absolutely fundamental that the education we offer our junior doctors is valuable, appropriate and robust in order for them to deliver safe and effective patient care,” says Dr Gary Wares, Consultant in Critical Care Medicine and the Director of Medical Education at The Royal Marsden. “They are the future generation of consultants and we want to make sure they have a productive and beneficial experience while training here.” To this end, The Royal Marsden has access to the Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre in Chelsea, a specialist medical education and training facility that aims to disseminate knowledge from experts at the forefront of cancer and cardiovascular care. To share good practice, the education faculty is drawn from both The Royal Marsden and the Royal Brompton Hospital. Students at the centre are trained via medical simulation, which ➜
Investing in staff is crucial to providing an excellent standard of care for patients NINA SINGH, DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE
SARAH STAPLETON
Clinical Nursing Research Fellow Sarah joined The Royal Marsden in 1998 as a staff nurse and began an oncology degree at The Royal Marsden School. “At that time, it was difficult to get access to courses,” she says. “The Royal Marsden was one of the few places offering a degree in oncology, so that attracted me.” Sarah joined the Drug Development Unit (DDU) in 2001 as a research nurse, then helped set up the Oak Ward as a ward sister and matron. She completed a masters part-time and, as Clinical Nursing Research Fellow in the DDU, is now studying for a PhD. “The DDU ran clinical trials to find better cancer treatments,” Sarah says. “But I also wanted to generate a nursing research culture within the unit and to have nurses participating as researchers, with the aim of improving the care we offer our patients. “It’s important that nurses are offered opportunities to develop their education — it’s what makes The Royal Marsden so special. Most of the nurses here have done further education in oncology and are highly qualified and knowledgeable — education is absolutely vital to maintain that level of expertise.” RM MAGAZINE 13
Continuing education
EDUCATION IN NUMBERS
960+ staff granted study leave support in 2014/15, from all pay bands and staff groups (excluding medical)
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members of The Royal Marsden’s non-medical staff are studying at degree or post-graduate level
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in-house personal and management development courses are available to staff through the Learning and Development Team
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in-house clinical courses are run by the Professional Development and Clinical Education teams
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staff in administrative roles are studying for competencebased certificate and diploma qualifications
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staff in Sutton and Merton Community Services have completed the Nurses New to Community Programme with The Royal Marsden School 14 RM MAGAZINE
Dr Gary Wares, Consultant in Critical Care Medicine and Director of Medical Education, says The Royal Marsden offers junior doctors robust and productive training to become the consultants of the future
The education we offer junior doctors is robust in order to deliver safe patient care DR GARY WARES, CONSULTANT IN CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
incorporates the use of human patient simulators in a simulated or real healthcare environment. “Simulation gives individuals and multidisciplinary teams the opportunity to practise high-risk, low-frequency events or learn procedural skills within a safe environment,” says Dr Wares. “They can repeat a procedure, learn from mistakes, fine-tune techniques and master clinical protocols designed to improve outcomes – all before undertaking this on a patient.” Professionals such as physicists, biomedical scientists and pharmacists also organise journal clubs to critically evaluate articles published in academic literature, in-house teaching, and access to external courses to support their continuing personal and professional development. Consultants also receive study leave and can now sign up to the new Faculty Development Programme
– a series of workshops aimed at giving consultants the supervision skills to help support and develop their trainee junior doctors.
The Royal Marsden School
As the UK’s largest dedicated provider of specialist cancer education, The Royal Marsden School has a reputation for excellence. A wide range of cancer and palliative care courses are tailored to meet the needs of healthcare professionals. The School has also designed a specific programme for staff in community services who are new to community nursing roles. Participants who want to take their studies further can also complete graduate and post-graduate programmes. “Education leads to excellent patient care, and our aim is to improve patient outcomes and experience by providing enjoyable and challenging learning opportunities for our students,” says
Dr Catherine Wilson, Head of School. “The School is an amazing resource that makes a big difference to The Royal Marsden’s ability to recruit staff.” There is also a Health Service Research infrastructure to support non-medical staff undertaking research within the Trust, which includes mentorship and supervision, research coaching and The Royal Marsden London Doctoral Seminar Series. In total, 21 nurses and allied health professionals at the hospital have a PhD or clinical doctorate, including Chief Nurse Dr Shelley Dolan and Chief Operating Officer Dr Liz Bishop.
Investing in staff
The Royal Marsden offers all staff the chance to sign up to in-house courses – on subjects such as IT, presentation skills, communicating assertively and leadership – to support their personal development. The Trust is also one of the first to
introduce the Care Certificate for healthcare support workers. Clinical staff are supported in their personal and professional development through programmes to meet specific needs, from dementia to children’s sleep problems. But all staff can apply for study leave and financial support when undertaking a relevant degree, masters, PhD and other higher education courses or conferences. “We recognise that investing in our staff is crucial to providing an excellent standard of care for patients, and that this is what makes The Royal Marsden unique,” says Nina Singh, Director of Workforce. “We want all staff – clinical and non-clinical – to be able to develop within their roles and maximise their talents and skills.” rm
Find out more about continuing education at The Royal Marsden at www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ pages/education.aspx
JENNIFER HUNT
Multidisciplinary Team and Waiting List Manager Jennifer joined The Royal Marsden in 1998 as a medical secretary and undertook numerous courses to develop her career, including an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration, the AMSPAR Level 2 Award in Medical Terminology and Open University postgraduate Professional Certificate in Management, and is studying for the OU Professional Diploma in Management. “The consultants that I worked for were really encouraging and supportive of me furthering my education within the Trust,” Jennifer says. “I’ve jumped at every education and development opportunity. It’s made a huge difference to my life and given me confidence in my abilities — completing these courses is not something that I would have considered doing before coming here. “I’m now doing the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson leadership programme, which will lead to a masters.”
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The weekly trips to the hospital are reassuring... everyone is so friendly
Sharon Jack is on her fifth clinical trial and attends The Royal Marsden each week for tests and treatment for ovarian cancer, supported by her husband Mark. She says that while being on a trial can be an emotional rollercoaster, she is grateful to take part as there is always hope that this might be the trial that works for her
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Patient profile
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Sharon Jack Clinical trial patient
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was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2009 and underwent surgery and chemotherapy at my local hospital. The cancer returned in 2012 and I was told there weren’t many options available to me, so I got a second opinion and was transferred to The Royal Marsden. It was here that I was put on a clinical trial, which was a great success and shrank my tumours by 90 per cent. Unfortunately, eight months later the cancer showed signs of regrowth and I had to stop the trial. I’m now on my fifth trial at The Royal Marsden – each time a trial has stopped working for me, I’ve gone on to a different one. Waiting and wellbeing sessions I currently visit The Royal Marsden every Tuesday for treatment. I leave my home in Essex at around 5am to get to the hospital for 8.15am. I’ll generally go on my own, but if I have an important appointment or I’m getting results back, my husband Mark will come too. When I arrive, I go to the Drug Development Unit (DDU) to let them know I’m there and wait until a nurse calls me to take my bloods. I also have my temperature and blood pressure checked, I’m weighed and I provide a urine sample. I then wait to see the doctor who examines me, asks about symptoms I’ve been having and prescribes any extra medication. There’s usually a one- to two-hour wait for the blood test results before I can start treatment, so I’m given a bleeper from the DDU and head downstairs. I’ll pick up my
prescription from the pharmacy and then sit in The Friends of The Royal Marsden Café in Outpatients. The volunteers who work there are lovely. I always order a cup of tea and toast – the woman who serves me always makes me smile because she says “two slices of toast made with love”. When the bleeper goes off, I go back to the DDU to find out if my blood results are okay – if so, the drugs are ordered from pharmacy. I wait about an hour to start my treatment, and sometimes take advantage of yoga at the physiotherapy gym, or massage or reflexology at the rehabilitation unit. Trials that give hope The drugs are given to me for one hour through an infusion while I sit in the Day Care room. During my treatment, I watch something on my iPad, check emails or talk to other patients – you tend to see the same people so it’s nice to catch up with them. The last time I was having treatment, I unexpectedly had a blood transfusion for five and a half hours because my iron levels dropped. I’ve never had one before so was a bit nervous but I felt a lot better for having it. I normally feel fine after the treatment so I drive straight home. I find the weekly trips to the hospital reassuring because everyone is so friendly and professional, from the nurses and consultants to the cleaners and porters. I’m so grateful to The Royal Marsden because without it I wouldn’t be here. Being on a trial can be an emotional rollercoaster. But there’s always hope that this might be the thing that works. rm
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Sarcoma focus
OUR SARCOMA UNIT
Taking on rare cancers Sarcomas present a real challenge for oncologists due to their rarity and variety. But The Royal Marsden’s renowned Sarcoma Unit is making huge strides in the treatment of these tumours
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s one of the largest soft-tissue sarcoma units in Europe, with more than 850 patients registered a year, The Royal Marsden takes the lead in the management of this challenging disease. The Sarcoma Unit’s multidisciplinary team of specialist doctors, nurses and allied health professionals has made several breakthroughs in researching new therapies in the past decade and aims to build on this work. With the collaborative laboratory support from our academic partner The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), we will remain at the forefront of research into the disease.
such as aldoxorubicin and olaratumab, as well as using immunotherapy. “Immune-modulating drugs that enhance the body’s defences against cancer have worked in lung cancer and melanoma. We are leading a study assessing the immunological features of different soft-tissue sarcoma subtypes and will be working on this project with colleagues in Europe and North America. We are also collaborating on a trial of a new agent for patients with a specific type of sarcoma – gastrointestinal stromal tumour – with a particular mutation that confers resistance to available therapy.”
RESEARCH
SURGERY
While surgery remains the preferred treatment option, The Royal Marsden is also dedicated to opening up new options for patients by running clinical trials. We’re continuing to make progress in sarcoma treatment, despite the hurdles in terms of rarity, wide anatomic distribution and number of different subtypes. “Several trial results of promising new agents for treating sarcomas have been presented this year,” says Dr Robin Jones, Consultant Medical Oncologist. “A new drug called pazopanib was approved for the treatment of metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma. Ongoing trials at The Royal Marsden will involve other new drugs
The Royal Marsden is one of the largest centres in the world for sarcoma surgery and has led the way for many years in established techniques, such as extended resections – where, as well as the tumours, the surrounding organs are removed to ensure a clear margin to prevent the cancer returning. Now we are exploring new ways to perform minimally invasive surgery. “Extended resections have been the most successful way to perform surgery on sarcomas,” says Mr Myles Smith, Consultant Surgeon. “Establishing the tumour biology, refining surgical techniques and taking advantage of new technologies is the future of sarcoma surgery.” ➜
Trialling advanced treatment options
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Minimally invasive surgical techniques
Q&A SARCOMAS
Mr Andrew Hayes, a Consultant Surgeon in the Sarcoma Unit, discusses the diagnosis and treatment of these rare cancers What are sarcomas?
Sarcomas are tumours of connective tissue, so they can affect any part of the body – bone, fat, blood vessels, skin and muscle. As a result, they are challenging to treat and require an experienced team of surgeons, clinical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, nurses and medical oncologists.
How are they diagnosed?
Because sarcomas are rare, diagnosis can be difficult. Often, patients present with a painless lump. An MRI scan of the tumour is usually performed, followed by a diagnostic biopsy.
How are they treated?
The standard treatment for a localised sarcoma is complete surgical removal, with or without radiation. For some types of sarcoma, pre- or postoperative systemic therapy is also used. For disease that has spread to other parts of the body, systemic therapy is the mainstay of treatment.
How common are sarcomas?
Sarcomas are rare, accounting for about one per cent of all adult cancers and 15 per cent of childhood cancers.
What types of sarcoma are there?
Consultant Surgeon Mr Myles Smith is furthering minimally invasive surgery for sarcomas
There are more than 80 subtypes of sarcoma, each with its own biology and response to systemic therapy. This also makes clinical trials difficult, as each subtype differs in terms of its underlying biology. As a result, the diagnosis of sarcomas is particularly challenging and requires an experienced pathologist.
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Sarcoma focus
Consultant Histopathologist Dr Khin Thway with Professor Cyril Fisher, Histopathology Consultant and Clinical Unit Head
CASE STUDY
Refining surgical techniques and taking advantage of new technologies is the future of sarcoma surgery
Olga Ostler
“I started experiencing bloating before Christmas and assumed it was just overindulgence. I went to my GP in January and was referred for an endoscopy, which appeared to be fine. “By the time I was diagnosed with sarcoma in April, my stomach looked like I was nine months pregnant. At 62, it was quite embarrassing. But the diagnosis was like a tsunami of emotions; it was actually good to know what was wrong with me after months of uncertainty. “As the sarcoma was so rare and large, the team were concerned that it would be challenging to remove it at surgery but that it was the best chance of a cure. Fortunately, Mr Smith and his team did an incredible job and managed to take the entire 6kg tumour out in one go. I feel very lucky. “I have regular scans and hopefully will not need any further treatment or surgery.”
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MR MYLES SMITH, CONSULTANT SURGEON
The Royal Marsden is the lead recruiter for the STRASS study in the UK, recruiting patients with retroperitoneal (the area at the back of the abdomen) sarcomas to compare radiotherapy plus surgery with surgery alone. Mr Dirk Strauss, Consultant Surgical Oncologist and General Surgeon in the Sarcoma Unit, is the Principal Investigator in the UK for the STRASS study. He says: “We usually treat retroperitoneal sarcoma with surgery, but there is a risk the cancer can come back. This trial examines if radiotherapy before surgery can reduce this risk.” Research is also key. Mr Smith says: “By understanding how the tumour is likely to behave, we have been able to personalise the surgical strategy, including carefully selecting patients for minimally invasive surgery. This cuts time in hospital for a patient after surgery for an abdominal or retroperitoneal tumour, from seven days with open surgery to three or four. We hope to develop this approach further in the next year using the Trust’s new da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system.”
DIAGNOSIS
Categorising new tumour types
Histopathology plays a central role in diagnosing patients with sarcoma. Over the past few years, advances in predicting the
behaviour of sarcoma tumours have helped clinicians manage the disease more successfully. The Royal Marsden is one of the few centres in the UK that is able to classify sarcoma tumours. “It is a very specialist area,” says Consultant Histopathologist Dr Khin Thway, who works alongside Professor Cyril Fisher. “We are very fortunate to have the support of a really cohesive clinical unit. We are continuously keeping up to date with new approaches to characterising tumours, and have led the way in diagnostic techniques that have set the national standard. “For example, we recently discovered and characterised a new type of sarcoma arising in the lung that can be diagnosed by detection of a specific cellular abnormality. This is a rearrangement of genetic material within the cell, which leads to the formation of new genes that cause cells to grow and multiply abnormally.” In collaboration with our academic partners, our researchers are investigating the further changes that lead to the formation of the different tumour types, using pioneering techniques such as genetic sequencing. Dr Thway says: “The ultimate goal is to be able to deliver personalised therapy for each individual patient.” rm
A patient’s Hospital perspective news
IT HAPPENED TO ME
Having a friend here really helps We were both diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia just 10 days apart. But after meeting on the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at The Royal Marsden, we’ve become close friends… Celina Oyat-Labanya and Katie Jones, both 18
feeling tired down to that. I went back to my doctor with another infection and had a blood test. The results came back with urgent warning signals and I was called at college and told to go straight to hospital – it was all so quick and very scary. The haematologist at our local hospital confirmed that I had leukaemia and referred me to The Royal Marsden. When I first arrived, I was petrified. I got into my bed and Celina was in the bed opposite – she gave me a massive smile. The next morning, I was to have a bone-marrow biopsy, and she reassured me and gave me tips on how to get through the pain.
Our friendship
When we met, we just clicked: we watched TV and films and played pool. There are lots of things to do here, but you can eventually get bored, so it really helps having friends on the ward because we understand what the other is going through. We feel lucky to have ended up here together. The nurses and medical, housekeeping and catering staff have been overwhelmingly kind. They understand teenagers, and the whole atmosphere on the ward is really positive. rm
Patients Celina Oyat-Labanya (left) and Katie Jones get to meet Strictly Come Dancing’s Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara
Celina’s story
When I was 14, I had sickle cell anaemia and underwent a bone-marrow transplant, so I’ve had routine check-ups ever since. Earlier this year, during one of them, the doctors discovered that I had leukaemia. I was in complete shock when I got the call. I thought they were going to tell me I was anaemic – I never expected them to say I had cancer. I spent a week in
intensive care at St George’s before being transferred to The Royal Marsden Teenage Cancer Trust Unit in the Oak Centre for Children and Young People. When Katie arrived 10 days later, I could see how nervous she was and decided to show her the ropes.
Katie’s story
I’d been unwell with tonsillitis, then was busy with college and applying to universities, so put
When I arrived I was petrified, but Celina gave me a massive smile and reassured me. She gave me tips on how to get through the pain
Dr David Taussig, Consultant Haematologist, says: “Both Katie and Celina have the same relatively rare disease: acute myeloid leukaemia. Although the diagnosis is the same, the genetic changes underlying the disease are different, which affects treatment. “For some people, having social interaction during treatment is important. Fortunately, Katie and Celina were in a bay together so were able to support each other. “They are both tremendously nice and a pleasure to look after. They are bright and understand what’s going on, and appear to have dealt well with a difficult diagnosis. “Celina had a bone marrow transplant in the past so was used to the medical system, but it’s new to Katie. “Katie had four cycles of chemotherapy, which worked well, and she’s back at home. Celina also had chemotherapy, and is now having a cord blood transplant to try to improve her chance of cure.” RM RM MAGAZINE MAGAZINE021 21
Janine Salter, Tissue Bank Manager at the hi-tech Biobank, where blood and tissue specimens are stored at -80ÂşC in freezers and in liquid nitrogen units
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CANCER BIOBANK
Frozen in time As a Biomedical Research Centre, The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research together receive funding from the National Institute for Health Research to support our work. Here, we explain how this funding has helped us set up one of the UK’s largest cancer biobanks
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oused deep in the Centre for Molecular Pathology (CMP) – The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research’s (ICR) joint laboratory in Sutton – is one of the UK’s largest biobanks dedicated to cancer. Set up with the help of National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funding, due to our status as a Biomedical
A VITAL RESEARCH ROLE Dr Sanjay Popat, Consultant Medical Oncologist in The Royal Marsden’s Lung Unit, says: “The Biobank has played a central role in the research studies we have conducted in the past few years. Without the infrastructure set up to store patients’ samples for this type of research, we wouldn’t have been in the fortunate position to offer personalised treatments for our patients. “An example of this is the UK National Lung Matrix trial. Here, the tumour and blood samples of patients with lung cancer undergo comprehensive molecular analysis, with the support of the Cancer Biobank. Patients whose tumours show a druggable mutation are then matched to a drug in the Matrix trial.”
Research Centre (BRC), the Cancer Biobank is a core resource for samples for use in cancer research. Currently holding more than 10,000 blood and tissue specimens collected from 2,500 Royal Marsden patients, with their consent, to help future research into cancer, the Biobank’s -80oC freezers and liquid nitrogen units have the capacity to store and preserve up to 900,000 frozen samples well into the future.
Invaluable resource
“The Royal Marsden treats a wide variety of cancers, so our Biobank has samples from some of the rarest tumour types,” says Janine Salter, Tissue Bank Manager. “Our collection of rare sarcoma samples will allow us to work towards new treatments for patients and attract the best cancer scientists in this field. “The Biobank has already proved invaluable to research. And even though at the time of taking a sample, there may not be a research need for it, it may be instrumental in developing future cancer treatments.” The Biobank is Human Tissue Authority compliant and has a team of four biospecimen co-ordinators to manage the sampling process – from gaining
patient consent at registration to sample collection from the theatre or clinic, then processing samples in the laboratory for storage in the Biobank. Janine explains: “Before we had the Biobank, hospital departments would collect and store samples individually, usually as part of a clinical trial or study – as opposed to having a vast library collected through a standardised process. “We are now able to offer excellent-quality samples to share with our collaborators and have the capacity to support high-profile research studies, such as the Cancer Research UK Stratified Medicine Programme and the forthcoming 100,000 Genomes Project.” The Generic Biobank Steering Group, chaired by the Director of Clinical Research, Professor David Cunningham, has strategic oversight of the Biobank. Membership includes the clinical research executive group, surgeons, pathologists and key research scientists across The Royal Marsden and the ICR. “Applications for samples go through a stringent peer-review process to ensure full benefit can be derived,” says Janine. “Our environment is based on collaboration, so we encourage external applicants to liaise with relevant clinicians here.” rm RM MAGAZINE 23
HRH The Duke of Cambridge
ROYAL CONNECTIONS
The work of our President We look back at the efforts of HRH The Duke of Cambridge since he became President of The Royal Marsden
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RH The Duke of Cambridge has had a long connection with The Royal Marsden. In 2006, he and his brother Prince Harry founded the Charities Forum in order to bring their individual charitable interests together and focus on them in the most efficient way – the Duchess of Cambridge joined as a patron of the Forum in 2012 after her marriage to The Duke. The Royal Marsden became a member of the Forum when The Duke became our President in May 2007. Since taking up the position, the Duke has visited both hospitals to meet staff and patients, and see the leading-edge facilities at first hand. He has also taken part in sporting events of which The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has been the beneficiary. In January this year, The Royal Marsden collaborated with fellow Charities Forum member the Natural History Museum – where the Duchess is a patron – when museum scientists brought a number of exhibits to the Oak Centre for Children and Young People. Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden, says: “The support HRH The Duke of Cambridge gives to The Royal Marsden, as well as all the other organisations he is patron of, is extremely important for raising our profile and creating opportunities for The Royal Marsden to provide benefit to more people diagnosed with cancer. His many hospital visits always give such a boost to both staff and patients. “He has told me that he finds his visits very uplifting, and that he enjoys supporting our staff in the work they do to provide the best care for our patients.” rm
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JANUARY 2008 (top) Following the devastating fire at The Royal Marsden in Chelsea, HRH The Duke of Cambridge was shown around areas of the fire-damaged hospital and visited staff and patients who had been moved to the nearby Royal Brompton hospital. MAY 2008 (middle) The Duke met staff who had played vital roles in the evacuation of the hospital during the January fire, and toured the rebuilt
areas, meeting both staff and patients. He also opened the new Endoscopy Unit. SEPTEMBER 2011 (bottom) In their first official UK engagement following their wedding, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited The Royal Marsden in Sutton to open the Oak Centre for Children and Young People. The couple spent hours speaking to patients and staff and were impressed with the new centre’s facilities.
NOVEMBER 2013 (left) The Duke hailed the “incredible” work of two surgical teams as he watched live operations at The Royal Marsden in Chelsea. The Duke met Mr Stuart James and his team to witness a DIEP flap breast reconstruction, and Mr Pardeep Kumar and his team to witness an open partial cystectomy and ureteric reimplantation (the removal of a tumour in the bladder). The Duke also visited the hospital’s CyberKnife radiotherapy unit.
MAY 2014 (below) A gala dinner was held at Windsor Castle to celebrate the innovative work of The Royal Marsden. At the event, the Duke met world-leading consultants and friends of The Royal Marsden together with global philanthropists. The Duke then spoke at the dinner about how proud he was to be President of the hospital, and how he has experienced the “brilliant work first hand during several visits”.
The support of HRH The Duke of Cambridge is extremely important... His visits always give such a boost to both staff and patients CALLY PALMER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE ROYAL MARSDEN
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THE ROYAL MARSDEN CANCER CHARITY
Best mates The Father and Son Day campaign was begun by two friends who had testicular cancer and whose fathers also had cancer, to raise awareness and funds
oyal Marsden clinicians – as well as celebrity supporters – have been leading a brigade of fathers and sons who have teamed up to help raise awareness of male cancers and raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Father and Son Day was set up by Daniel Marks and Jack Dyson, friends who survived testicular cancer, and whose fathers both had cancer. The campaign celebrates the legacy of respect between inspirational fathers and their sons, between men and their mentors. Through sharing photos of fathers and their sons, the campaign aims to raise funds for two projects at The Royal Marsden: training more surgeons to carry out robotic surgery; and a clinical psychology programme to support young men affected by cancer, to help them communicate about and cope with their diagnosis and treatment.
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“This campaign is inspired by very personal experience. It is about giving back to an organisation that saved my life and saves thousands more around the world every day,” says co-founder Daniel. “The bond between father and son is one of the most important friendships many men will ever have. It deserves to be celebrated and we’re thrilled for this to be a catalyst to raise funds for such a worthy cause.” Presenters Dermot O’Leary and Mark Wright as well as Strictly Come Dancing’s Aljaz Skorjanec are just a few of the celebrities who have joined our own Royal Marsden clinicians in supporting the campaign. Father and Son Day is not tied to one date – so share your #FatherAndSonDay portrait on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and donate £5. Simply text MARSDEN to 70800 to give £5 and nominate your friends to do the same.
“I’m teaching Ben that copying “Earn people’s trust and everything Paddington Bear respect by honesty and does isn’t always a good idea” consistency” Dr James Larkin
Professor Mitch Dowsett This page, clockwise from top: Dr Mike Potter with Ollie, Jacob and Ben; Professor Mitch Dowsett with Andrew; Dr Sanjay Popat with Mihir; Dr James Larkin with Ben. Opposite page, clockwise from top: Mr Myles Smith with Benjamin; Mr Thomas Ind with Oliver; Dr John Williams with Sean, Henry and Daniel; Professor Martin Gore with Tom, Alex and Will
Fundraising
“Benjamin, if you can keep that happy and positive attitude, you will find the challenges that life throws at you less daunting and easier to navigate” Mr Myles Smith
Take on The Big C The Big C Challenge is
“My boys are great fun to be around, they are hard workers and they love their mum. What more can one ask for?”
“Life is very short. You don’t have much time, so make the most of it by doing what you love and giving your all”
Professor Martin Gore
Dr John Williams
Father and Son Day co-founders Jack Dyson (left) and Daniel Marks (above) with their fathers John and Ken
back for a second year, and this time we need you to get sponsored to take on a month of fun challenges to help raise £80,000 for the UK’s first Robotic Surgery Fellowship. Robotic surgery is minimally invasive and recovery is far quicker than from conventional surgery. We aim to train one surgeon a year for 10 years to spread this pioneering treatment. To kick things off, rugby stars from Harlequins visited young patients in the Oak Centre for Patients and Young People and got involved by donning some crazy costumes (pictured). Amanda Heaton, Community and Corporate Fundraising Manager for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, says: “If just 800 people raise £100 this September, we can make this fellowship a reality. We have 30 challenges, from giving up coffee to crunching sit-ups or a cake sale – tell us about yours on Twitter, using #bigCchallenge.” For details, visit www.royalmarsden. org/bigc RM MAGAZINE 27
FOUNDATION NEWS
A PROUD FIVE YEARS As The Royal Marsden’s Chairman R. Ian Molson approaches five years of service, we look back on his tenure
ith R. Ian Molson’s experience as chairman and director of a number of international companies, it was only natural that the work of The Royal Marsden and its global reputation was known to him. It was, however, the Trust’s strong performance ethic and culture that really attracted him to the role of Chairman. Ian says: “During my initial meetings to become acquainted with the hospital, I developed a strong sense of the Trust’s core values, and the evident pride staff felt in working here – and that is when I knew it would be both an honour and a pleasure to become Chairman.” Ian was appointed Chairman of The Royal Marsden and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity in December 2010. Five years on, his initial impressions proved to be correct. He says: “The Royal Marsden is a formidable institution, but first and foremost it is the people that work here who make it what it is.”
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The Royal Marsden is a formidable institution, but it is the people who make it what it is R. IAN MOLSON, CHAIRMAN OF THE ROYAL MARSDEN
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Chairman R. Ian Molson in the Reuben Imaging Centre at Chelsea (above) and speaking to staff on the Medical Day Unit (below). Ian also had the privilege of witnessing the opening of the Oak Centre for Children and Young People in Sutton (below left)
Ian’s main aim has been to sustain and enhance The Royal Marsden’s ‘human capital’, ensuring that staff members remain committed to and fully supported in their roles and that the patientfocused culture is maintained. Under Ian’s tenure, there have been a number of exciting developments, including the opening of the Oak Centre for Children and Young People (OCCYP) in
Foundation news
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Sutton, one of the largest such centres in Europe. More recently, both the Centre for Molecular Pathology (dedicated to developing more personalised cancer treatment) and the West Wing Clinical Research Centre in Sutton were opened, thanks to funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The opening of the Reuben Foundation Imaging Centre and the addition of the da Vinci Xi surgical robot are two further examples of the leading-edge technology recently introduced at The Royal Marsden. Ian says: “It was a huge privilege for both myself and Cally Palmer, The Royal Marsden’s Chief Executive, to witness the opening of the OCCYP by our President, HRH The Duke of Cambridge. Seeing the centre’s first-class facilities and the difference it would make to our younger patients was a very proud moment.” Looking to the future, Ian’s aim is to ensure that the quality of care Royal Marsden patients have come to expect carries on, and that the Trust has the financial and human resources to deliver the best possible care and treatment. Ian says: “Ultimately, it is our performance and reputation that will enable us to command the necessary resources going forward, to ensure that The Royal Marsden grows from strength to strength.”
Trust membership is a great way to find out about the work that we do, through being invited to Members’ Events or receiving a copy of RM magazine. However, the purpose of membership is not only to act as an information source. It is also a useful way for the Trust to better understand the views and needs of its service users and the wider community. As such, the Trust is always keen to recruit as many members as it
can, and develop its relationship with new and existing members. To achieve this, the Trust has established a Membership and Communications Group. This is a working group of the Council of Governors that consists of Patient and Public Governors as well as Trust staff. The group’s main responsibilities are to look at the ways in which the Trust can raise awareness and promote its membership, as well as develop communication with members. Governor Ann Curtis (left), Co-Chair of the group, said: “I’m proud to be Co-Chair of such a cohesive group of people who are willing to go the extra mile. We have recently redesigned the membership application form to make it simpler. It’s important to provide a seamless process in becoming a member.” To become a member or to find out more, visit www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ membership or contact Rebecca Hudson on 020 7808 2844.
Dates for your diary Board of Directors meeting Tuesday 22 September 2015, 2.30pm-4.30pm, Chelsea Council of Governors meeting Wednesday 23 September 2015, 11am-1pm, Chelsea Council of Governors meeting Wednesday 9 December 2015, 11am-1pm, Chelsea To attend a meeting, please call 020 7811 8558.
Keep in touch
Become a member and/or contact your Governor: telephone 020 7808 2844, email foundation.trust @rmh.nhs.uk or visit www.royalmarsden. nhs.uk/membership
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING This year’s Annual General Meeting will include presentations on the many technological advances at The Royal Marsden. Improving image guided radiotherapy: an update on the MR Linac project Dr Imogen Locke Lead for Clinical Oncology, The Royal Marsden The da Vinci Xi – enabling innovation in robotic surgery Mr Pardeep Kumar Consultant Urological Surgeon, The Royal Marsden Tuesday 22 September, 5pm Julian Bloom Lecture Theatre, The Royal Marsden Conference Centre, Stewart’s Grove, Chelsea
If you would like to attend, please email julie.clark@rmh.nhs.uk or call 020 7811 8126
RM MAGAZINE 29
PUZZLES & PRIZES
Test your wits The lucky winner of our prize crossword will receive £50 in John Lewis vouchers. Send your crossword with your name and contact details to RM, Press Office, The Royal Marsden, Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3 6JJ. The entry closing date is Friday 23 October 2015. See below for prize draw rules.
Win!
TALK TO US What you’re saying on social media @royalmarsden Matt Field (@mattFieldtweets)
The level of care at your hospital is truly exceptional. Overwhelmed by the diligence & bedside manner of nurses #BudEastWard asmadasbirds (@asmadasbirds)
Very thankful for everything the @royalmarsden has done for my mum the last couple of months… Marvellous hospital! #grateful Peter Cornwell (@PeterCornwell67)
PRIZE DRAW TERMS & CONDITIONS: 1. The Prize Draw is open to all readers of RM except employees of the Press Office at The Royal Marsden and Sunday, who produce RM magazine. 2. The closing date for receipt of all entries is Friday 23 October 2015. 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 prize is correct at time of going to press. 4. Winners will be notified by post within 14 days of closing date. 5. The Promoter’s decision on any aspect of the promotions is final and binding. 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 crossword prize of £50 in John Lewis vouchers will be the first correct entry drawn out of the bag. 9. The Promoter is The Royal Marsden Hospital, 203 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ.
Big big shout out to #royalmarsden. Thank you for being there guys when we need you. We start the long journey with u by our side. royalmarsden Caroline Worley
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Across 1 A form of expression (5) 4 Self-assertive in a rude, noisy way (5) 6 Large cat (7) 8 Young herring (4) 9 Distinguishing character of a culture (5) 12 Watery place in southern USA (5) 13 Sharp projection (4) 15 Inspect closely (7) 17 Hinged barriers (5) 18 Bad-tempered and unfriendly (5) Down 1 Unable to be seen (9) 2 Most suitably (7) 3 To be unhappily listless (4) 4 Exchange of playful teasing (6) 5 Tree (3) 7 Fruit (9) 10 Plant (7) 11 Game (6) 14 Vegetables (4) 16 At the stern of a ship (3) Congratulations to Sylvia Smith, the winner of last issue’s crossword prize.
Absolutely awesome care every time I visit. Every nurse welcomes me every time w a smile :) thank you. Maggie Sutton
Nurses worldwide are angels in disguise… especially those at The Royal Marsden…! Kelly Smith
My time and treatment on Ellis Ward was truly remarkable, I will be eternally grateful xx
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IN THE NEXT ISSUE RM brings you the latest hospital updates, research news, inspiring stories and exclusive interviews. The winter 2015 issue is coming soon…
● 160 years of philanthropy ● New breast cancer trial ● Big C Challenge FOR THE ROYAL MARSDEN Rachael Reeve – Director of Marketing and Communications Elaine Parr – Head of PR and Communications Vicky Hartley – PR and Communications Manager Catherine O’Mara – Senior Press and PR Officer Kelly Smale – Senior Press and PR Officer FOR SUNDAY Marc Grainger – Editor Ian Dutnall – Art Director Madhushri Nadgir – Senior Account Manager Richard Robinson – Group Editor Matt Beaven – Creative Director Toby Smeeton – Managing Director RM magazine is published by The Royal Marsden in partnership with Sunday: wearesunday.com © The Royal Marsden 2015. 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.
17 October 2015
Jump for us September 2015
Throughout 2015 and 2016
Big C Challenge Help us take on the Big C this September! To find out more and to register, visit www. royalmarsden.org/bigc
My Marsden March Organise your own Marsden March, any time, anywhere: www.royalmarsden. org/mymarch
Experience the thrill of a lifetime and the sheer exhilaration of a 120mph freefall parachute jump while raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Visit www.royalmarsden. org/parachute
Get involved
Take on one of these fun challenges and raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
6 December 2015 13 March 2016
The Marsden March Walk with us to build a future beyond cancer. Registration opens on 5 October. www. royalmarsden.org/march
Santa Run Don a Santa suit for this fun-filled 5km or 10km run. Visit www.royalmarsden. org/santa-run
12 November 2016 17 April 2016
Brighton Marathon Take part in this fantastic race across town. We have guaranteed places, so register by 17 February at www.royalmarsden.org/ brighton-marathon
Sahara Trek
Join us and be part of the trek team that uncovers the epic views and communities of the Sahara Desert. Visit www.royalmarsden. org/sahara-trek
31 October 2015
Zombie Evacuation Race Register before 16 October for this fast-paced adventure experience in a world where zombies have taken over... Visit www.royalmarsden.org/ zombie-evacuation-race