RM M A G A Z I N E AUTUMN 2020
THE KEY WORKERS
Celebrating the evolving roles of our nurses
A new reality: responding to the COVID-19 challenge Paediatrics on TV: three families share their stories
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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EXECUTIVE NOTES
CONTENTS 4 Bulletin What’s happening around The Royal Marsden 12 Call of duty Former staff who returned to the front line amid the pandemic 14 Seven nurses and one decade
Nursing colleagues reflect on their Royal Marsden careers 17 It happened to me Anna Selo on her ‘royal treatment’ during lockdown 18 A day in the life Meet Farsab Nadeem, Medical Laboratory Assistant 20 Adapting to a new reality How we’re reshaping the way we deliver cancer care
22 After the cameras stop rolling
Three families discuss our paediatric work on TV 25 Access all areas Ensuring our research is open to those who need it most 26 Fundraising News from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity 28 Foundation news Updates from our Foundation Trust and Governors 30 Puzzles and prizes Test your wits and win a prize with our crossword 31 Stay in touch Your comments on social media, plus hospital contacts
WELCOME to the autumn 2020 edition of RM, the magazine for our staff, patients, carers and Foundation Trust members. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is our first issue of RM magazine since the spring. As we put all our efforts into adapting our working practices to ensure we could continue to treat our patients safely, we had to divert attention from some of our other activities. Find out more about the changes we made to the way we provide healthcare at The Royal Marsden on page 20. We have, however, continued to deliver high standards of research, treatment and care, albeit in different ways than we are used to. Our clinicians presented research virtually at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference, which this year was held online (page 6). We also launched the 10th edition of our ‘Marsden Manual’, the internationally renowned nursing textbook, online (page 10). Also, you can read about the support we’ve received from patients, staff and supporters over the past six months. As we move through the recovery phase, I’d like to thank everyone for their outstanding contributions as we continue to provide the best treatment and care for cancer patients. I hope you enjoy this issue.
ON THE COVER Rose Juliet Asoro, Private Patients Matron Some of the photographs in this issue were taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and do not reflect current social distancing guidelines
Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive, The Royal Marsden
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B U L L E T I N W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G A R O U N D T H E R O YA L M A R S D E N
Joining the effort IN MARCH, NHS England established seven Nightingale field hospitals to provide additional intensive care capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Royal Marsden’s Chief Nurse, Eamonn Sullivan (farthest right), was seconded to help lead the setup of the first, in London’s ExCel Centre. He was joined by (left to right) Clinical Assessment Unit Matron Louise Davison, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine Dr Richard Lee, Critical Care Unit Deputy Matron Deborah Scott, and Chief Pharmacist Jatinder Harchowal. After six weeks, they returned to the Trust when NHS Nightingale London was placed on standby. Read Dr Lee’s blog about his secondment at royalmarsden.org/ blog/working-nightingale-hospital
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COVID-PROTECTED Surgeons operate during the pandemic
? DID YOU KNOW? In July, The Royal Marsden launched Ask Maisie, a virtual agent that uses artificial intelligence to provide key workers with access to the latest COVID-19related information, policies and advice following lockdown.
Surgery safeguarded THE ROYAL MARSDEN and RM Partners, our local cancer alliance, established a Cancer Hub at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide patients with access to urgent cancer surgery. When the virus overwhelmed intensive care units across the country, many cancer patients found that their operations were cancelled. Using existing networks and new partnerships enabled by a landmark deal the NHS made to buy up capacity in the private healthcare sector, The Royal Marsden ensured that they could have the surgery they needed. Clinicians in hospitals affected by COVID-19 referred their patients to a central triage system led by RM Partners. They could then be matched with available surgical teams and ringfenced theatre capacity. Patients and visiting surgeons underwent testing ahead of surgery to ensure that the network remained COVID-protected.
At any one time, surgical teams from up to 10 different hospitals were operating on patients across 13 theatres at The Royal Marsden and the Bupa Cromwell Hospital, with intensive care and ward beds available for patients after their operations. To date, about 1,500 patients have been able to access surgery during the pandemic. One such patient, John Philpot, said: “When you have a cancer growing inside you, you want it out as quickly as possible and I was worried the pandemic would stop that happening. But thanks to the hub, I was able to access surgery. “I have done the rounds, with my initial chat about my endoscopy at St George’s, the procedure at Queen Mary’s in Roehampton, and then my operation at the Cromwell with my Chelsea and Westminster surgeon. My cancer was found early through routine screening, so I don’t need any further treatment. I feel incredibly lucky.” RM magazine 5
RESEARCH REVEALED AT VIRTUAL MEETING Experts from The Royal Marsden presented research to thousands of delegates around the world at this year’s virtual ASCO conference. Professor Ros Eeles, Consultant in Clinical Oncology and Oncogenetics, presented the results of her BARCODE study, which demonstrated that genetic screening can detect undiagnosed cases of prostate cancer in healthy men at an early stage. The pilot study gave 307 participants aged between 55 and 69 scores based on their inherited risk of developing the disease. Eighteen men who were found to be in the top 10 per cent of risk agreed to undergo an MRI scan and biopsy, and seven were then diagnosed with prostate cancer. Meanwhile, Professor Christopher Nutting, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, presented the results of the DARS study, which showed that optimised intensitymodulated radiotherapy can reduce adverse, lifelong side effects in head and neck cancer patients following treatment.
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Studying COVID-19’s impact
RESEARCHERS AT The Royal Marsden have launched several studies at an unprecedented speed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on cancer treatment and care. Professor David Cunningham, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Director of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, said: “We are uniquely placed to look at COVID-19 in a cancer setting. Our teams have been working at pace to establish studies with a focus on immediate impact through to longer-term understanding of this novel virus. “Thanks to funding by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and the NIHR BRC, we hope this research will have a national and international impact.”
• The CARDS trial, led by Dr Sheela Rao, is investigating an antibody test for cancer patients, mapping a timeline of when immunity is developed, and so indicating when cancer treatment may safely restart. • The Prevail trial, led by Dr Naureen Starling, is exploring whether a ‘liquid biopsy’ blood test can be used in place of certain diagnostic methods that cannot be carried out due to the increased risk of contracting the virus. • The OCTAPUS-AI study, led by Dr Richard Lee, is using artificial intelligence to analyse scans and provide clinicians with
information on whether lung changes are due to COVID-19, or are caused by another infection or side effect of treatment. • The CAPTURE study, led by Dr Samra Turajlic, is analysing data from more than 1,200 cancer patients, as well as 200 hospital staff, to understand the biology and interactions between COVID-19, immunity, cancer and cancer treatment. • The Wellbeing and Burnout study, led by Dr Susana Banerjee, is focusing on the psychological impact on clinicians working through the pandemic, particularly those in an oncology setting.
BULLETIN
Royal Marsden pioneers first-in-child treatment A HIGHLY TARGETED drug that was pioneered at The Royal Marsden has been approved by NICE for use in young patients. The Oak Paediatric and Adolescent Drug Development Unit trialled the tumour-agnostic drug larotrectinib – which targets cancers according to their genetic makeup rather than where they originated in the body – in a first-in-child study. The Royal Marsden was the only UK centre to trial the drug with pharmaceutical company Loxo Oncology, and our paediatric team was invited to publish a review of tumour-agnostic drugs
“These treatments are showing real benefit for children’s cancers”
KINDER TREATMENTS Dr Julia Chisholm chats to a young patient
for young patients in the British Journal of Cancer. Dr Julia Chisholm, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, said: “Highly targeted treatments are showing real benefit for some children’s cancers. We are always striving to cure more patients and produce kinder treatments with reduced side effects.” Three-year-old Charlotte, who was diagnosed with infantile fibrosarcoma, was treated with larotrectinib at The Royal Marsden. Her mum, Esther, said: “We are delighted that other children in the UK will be able to benefit in the way Charlotte has. We have been able to watch Charlotte develop and grow. She has a relatively normal life and, best of all, the drug has had an incredible impact on the tumour.” Read more about Charlotte and her family’s story on page 22.
Tumour genetics in the mix
? DID YOU KNOW? The Royal Marsden employs more than 3,900 staff in a diverse range of fields, such as nursing, science and occupational therapy. Visit royalmarsden. nhs.uk/workingroyal-marsden to find out more and to see our latest vacancies.
A pioneering tumoursampling method that more accurately detects genetic alterations in tumours has been developed by researchers at The Royal Marsden, the Francis Crick Institute and Roche. The technique, called representative sequencing, takes most of the tumour removed at surgery – tissue that is not currently sampled and is routinely discarded – and mixes it so that cells from different areas of the tumour are more evenly distributed. A sample is then taken from this mixture to be profiled, building a more accurate picture of a tumour’s genetics. The test builds on DNA sequencing, which we use to find mutations that can be susceptible or resistant to a personalised therapy. Dr Samra Turajlic, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden and group leader at the Francis Crick Institute, said: “By equipping clinicians with more accurate information about a tumour, we hope our method will lead to patients and treatments being significantly better matched.”
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NEW HEAD FOR CENTRE Professor Nicholas Turner, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden and Professor of Molecular Oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is to take over from Professor Mitch Dowsett as Head of the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research. Professor Turner (below), who joined The Royal Marsden in 2008 and has worked on projects in the centre in recent years, will be using his expertise to continue and expand the centre’s work in the years ahead. Professor Dowsett has worked at The Royal Marsden for more than 30 years and is acknowledged as a world leader in breast cancer research. He is stepping down after four years leading the work of the centre, which opened in 2016 thanks to funding from supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, including a generous donation from Ralph Lauren. Read more about our longstanding partnership with Ralph Lauren on page 26.
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NEW ALGORITHM Professor Mitch Dowsett (centre)
Prioritising breast treatment RESEARCHERS AT The Royal Marsden led by Professor Mitch Dowsett have developed an innovative approach to selecting breast cancer patients who need urgent treatment. Using data from multiple international trials, a new algorithm can identify postmenopausal patients with primary ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer – a type that accounts for 70 per cent of all cases – who have less endocrine-sensitive tumours and who should be prioritised for early surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an international need to triage the most urgent cancer surgery and chemotherapy treatments – such as patients diagnosed with triplenegative and HER2-positive breast cancer – to protect staff and vulnerable patients. For a large group of breast cancer patients, deferring treatment and prescribing neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NeoET) to reduce the stimulation of the disease
by oestrogen without the surgical removal of the tumour is the best course of action. However, the work of Professor Dowsett highlighted that while 85 per cent of patients whose surgery is deferred would be safe to remain on NeoET for up to six months, 15 per cent are resistant to this treatment and are at risk of their disease spreading. Patient Carole Smith, 68, had her operation brought forward after being identified by the new algorithm. She said: “I am so grateful for the researchers making this discovery as [my cancer] could have progressed if left for a few months.”
The algorithm can identify patients who should be triaged for urgent surgery
BULLETIN
Sharing our robotic surgery expertise PROFESSOR VINIDH PALERI, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon at The Royal Marsden, has played a crucial role in establishing robotic surgery programmes elsewhere in the UK and Europe. Professor Paleri has provided training to 33 surgeons and helped to set up head and neck robotic services at 16 NHS trusts around the UK, as well as at the University Hospital of North Norway in Tromsø, home of the northernmost surgical robot in the world. In 2007, The Royal Marsden was the first hospital in England to introduce the da Vinci robotic surgical systems – thanks to funding
MACHINE LEARNING Professor Vinidh Paleri
from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Since then, our surgeons have performed more than 3,000 robotically assisted operations and have established surgical and nursing fellowship programmes, both also funded by the Charity. Professor Paleri said: “It’s important that we see this skillset established across the UK and Europe so suitable patients can benefit from robotic surgery in a safe and regulated environment. “With recent high-quality trials showing the benefit of robotic surgery, The Royal Marsden has indirectly helped thousands of patients at a national level.”
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FAST FACTS Nursing at The Royal Marsden
2020
is the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, marking Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday
1861
was the year in which the first nurse at The Royal Marsden, Matron Miss Scrivener, was appointed
1,126 nurses currently work at The Royal Marsden
150
nurses on average join the Trust every year
279
international nurses work at The Royal Marsden RM magazine 9
IN BRIEF
nurses, with contributions from allied health professionals (AHPs) including dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and psychologists. The 10th edition, which this year was launched virtually via Zoom, was written by over 100 nurses and AHPs. I have co-edited it for 17 years, which is a real privilege. On the latest edition, I worked with senior nurses Hayley Grafton and Justine Hofland.
New pharmacy model
Outpatient medicines are now dispensed by RM Medicines, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Royal Marsden, following the end of the partnership with Boots. This will enable us to introduce new models of care to help manage capacity constraints and reduce waiting times, while the pharmacy team will benefit from specialist oncology pharmacy training.
Practice-changing trial
The first-ever randomised trial in advanced anal cancer patients, led by Consultant Medical Oncologist Dr Sheela Rao, has led to a new approach to treatment. Published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the results showed that a combination of chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel was safer and more effective than previously recommended treatments.
Patient Portal
Urology outpatients can now access information about their hospital appointments through the online Royal Marsden Patient Portal. This pilot scheme has been introduced as part of the Trust’s Digital Transformation Programme, and we look forward to extending the service to other patient groups in the coming months.
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Q&A: MARSDEN MANUAL Sara Lister, Head of Pastoral Care and Psychological Support, discusses her role as an editor of the 10th edition of The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures Q What is the Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures? A It’s an internationally renowned textbook for nurses across the full spectrum of healthcare settings, and is better known as the ‘Marsden Manual’. It’s published every few years and has provided essential information on nursing skills and procedures for over three decades. It’s used in 86 countries and on almost every NHS ward across England.
Q How did it originate? A The Manual was first published in 1984, when The Royal Marsden’s then Chief Nurse, Robert Tiffany, wanted to create a book to give the hospital’s nurses all the information they needed in one place. His hope was that it would become an “essential resource for individuals and organisations alike”. Q Who writes and edits the Manual today? A It has always been written by nurses, for
“The Marsden Manual has always been written by nurses, for nurses”
Q How has it changed over the years? A On the eighth edition, we split it into professional and student versions. Student nurses had complained that it was making their arms ache as it was so heavy, so we took out all the procedures that nurses who hadn’t qualified wouldn’t be trained to do, and created an edition just for them. Nursing is much more complex now and patients are much sicker. The Manual has expanded to reflect how the role of nurses has developed over the years, and has always stayed up to date with the most recent clinical evidence. Also new in this 10th edition is a chapter on Self Care and Wellbeing. It has become easier to follow too, with full-colour illustrations and photos, which makes it practical for nurses in other countries in particular.
Want to know more? Visit wiley.com/learn/ royalmarsdenmanual
BULLETIN
CyberKnife number two arrives in Sutton THE ARRIVAL OF a second CyberKnife at The Royal Marsden means that even more patients can now access the latest technology for radiotherapy treatment. Funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, this new machine can deliver radiation to patients with pinpoint accuracy in as little as 15 minutes, meaning less healthy tissue is damaged during treatment. The Royal Marsden is the only trust in the UK to have the newest CyberKnife model, which can
deliver treatment more efficiently than ever before. Having the additional feature of a multileaf collimator (MLC) head means it can deliver radiation more quickly, meaning shorter treatment sessions for patients. The new CyberKnife is located in the radiotherapy department in Sutton, and is the second such machine at The Royal Marsden. The first was installed in Chelsea in 2011, and has since treated nearly 3,000 patients and been the focus of international research.
Volunteers go above and beyond
? DID YOU KNOW? During what would have been Wimbledon fortnight, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) delivered strawberries to The Royal Marsden for our staff to enjoy. A huge thank you to the AELTC for a welcome summer treat.
NEW ARRIVAL The CyberKnife suite in Sutton
Unlocking AI’s potential Two clinical oncology registrars at The Royal Marsden are investigating how artificial intelligence (AI) technology can help in the early diagnosis of lung cancer. Dr Benjamin Hunter, who was awarded a pan-London cancer research fellowship by RM Partners, is developing AI tools to predict whether lung nodules are malignant or benign.
Dr Sumeet Hindocha is undertaking a PhD at the UK Research and Innovation Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Healthcare at Imperial College London to improve the detection of lung cancer patients who are at risk of their disease returning. They are supervised by Dr Richard Lee, Consultant in Early Diagnosis, who is funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Though The Royal Marsden’s celebrations for this year’s Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) had to be scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to thank all the wonderful volunteers who have done their utmost to support the Trust during these uncertain times. Working with The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, volunteers have supported the Transportation team in delivering essential medications to vulnerable patients during the pandemic. This service was successfully piloted in Chelsea and is now also operating in Sutton. Barry Pridmore, Head of Volunteering, said: “The fantastic contribution from our volunteers makes a significant difference to the work we do. Even while we have had to temporarily suspend many of our volunteering services, their response has been incredible. “We’re extremely grateful for their support and look forward to their safe return to volunteering as soon as it’s possible to do so.”
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CALL OF
DUT Y
Thousands of former NHS workers returned to the front line to join the effort against COVID-19. We meet four exRoyal Marsden staff who came back to play a crucial part in supporting the hospital and our patients through the pandemic
Lottie Weston
After leaving The Royal Marsden two years ago to join PwC as a Government and Health Industries Consultant, Lottie returned to work as part of the Cancer Hub team at the hospital (read more on page 5). “I joined The Royal Marsden in 2014, and was a clinical nurse specialist and lead nurse for teenagers and young adults for five years before leaving,” she says. “I was so pleased to come back and support the hospital and be part of the response team. The pandemic is unlike
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anything that anyone has ever had to work through before, and knowing that I was able to use my clinical skills and experience to help is really rewarding. “It was really important to me to support patients with cancer through a time when they would have been feeling particularly anxious and concerned about their treatment. At such a challenging time, there was still a great team spirit at the hospital, with all the organisations working together to deliver cancer treatment.”
COMING BACK
Isabel Thorpe
Isabel splits her time between flying the skies for Virgin Atlantic as a part-time member of cabin crew and working as a bank nurse – a former member of staff who remains on call to work occasional shifts – for The Royal Marsden. “As soon as the pandemic hit, I signed up for more shifts,” she says. “I knew that The Royal Marsden was where I was needed. “I wasn’t worried at all about caring for COVID-19 patients on the dedicated wards as the Trust looks after its staff so well. We were always updated on the correct procedures and had the PPE [personal protective equipment] required to do our jobs safely. “I love both jobs and will go back to flying as soon as we can after furlough, but I will always be part of The Royal Marsden. It’s a very special place.”
“As soon as the pandemic hit, I signed up for more shifts at The Royal Marsden” Lisa Currie
Lisa worked in The Royal Marsden’s Pharmacy department for more than a decade. She returned after 16 years away, in addition to working at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), a pharmaceutical company, as a Disease Area Specialist. “BMS has a volunteer scheme, so I was able to help for two days in the Pharmacy department – from admin tasks to helping with service provision and managing some of the changes that have come into
Gary Stockwell
Gary has worked bank shifts at The Royal Marsden as a Critical Care Unit (CCU) nurse for many years, in between overseas tours with the Army Reserve’s bomb disposal unit. “When the lockdown came into place, I was working at The Royal Marsden and couldn’t think of anywhere else I would have wanted to be,” he says. “It’s been tough, but the one thing about working in such a high-pressured environment is the amazing teamwork. Everyone has really pulled together, and we have been able to adapt our communication with each other to work within the confines of the PPE. I feel very proud to have been working at The Royal Marsden during this time.”
place as a result of COVID-19,” she says. “It was so nice to feel that I was doing something worthwhile to help at such a difficult time. “I completed my final checking accreditation for chemotherapy again, which meant I was able to check and release this type of treatment for patients. It’s been a very testing time for everyone, but trying to keep the services running as normally as possible for cancer patients is so important.” RM RM magazine 13
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SE VEN NURSES A N D O N E DE C A DE To mark the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife in 2020, we speak to seven colleagues who joined The Royal Marsden 10 years ago about their journeys through the nursing profession 14  RM magazine
NURSING
OUR PANEL 1 Karen Millar Private Patient Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist 2 Sharon Harding Transfusion Practitioner Specialist Nurse 3 Jo-Anne Gilroy Advanced Critical Care Practitioner 4 Farzana Baksh Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Private Patients Medical Day Unit 5 Rose Juliet Asoro Private Patients Matron 6 Joseph RehbergerBagley PALS and Bereavement Lead 7 Karen Bufton Clinical Nurse Specialist, Palliative Care
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THE ROYAL MARSDEN prides itself on excellence in nursing, and our 1,200-strong team plays a pivotal role in ensuring our patients receive the best care. Over the past decade, our nurses have become more autonomous in the way they work – for example, by prescribing drugs – and also dedicate their time to sharing their expertise through teaching and research. Here, seven nurses – who all met when they started at The Royal Marsden a decade ago – tell us how the Trust’s ethos has helped shape their careers. What were your first days like at The Royal Marsden? Sharon Harding I had two student placements on Bud Flanagan West
Ward, which is where I then began my career at The Royal Marsden, so my first day wasn’t too daunting. I was late starting in nursing – I didn’t qualify until I was 48. Karen Bufton I had a placement on Bud Flanagan East, and from that I knew I wanted to work at The Royal Marsden. It was my first nursing job and I was well supported, especially by the practice educator and the lead for the ‘nurses new to cancer’ course. You all met on this Trust-run course. How did that help? SH It provided a network of support, so we had someone to speak to if we were struggling. We were a very close-knit bunch! It also provided a grounding for cancer care – not just how to administer drugs, but how
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to remember there is a person in front of you and not just the disease. Farzana Baksh It really helped that we all worked in different parts of the hospital and had different experiences to share as a group. Have you all experienced different nursing roles within the Trust? Rose Juliet Asoro I think we’ve each worked in three or four wards, departments or roles over the years. KB I’ve worked on Bud Flanagan West, in palliative care and in the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit. I’ve recently gone back to palliative care as a clinical nurse specialist, which I’m really excited about! RJA Also, there are so many study opportunities with The Royal Marsden School, like the > RM magazine 15
NURSING
“There are so many directions that nurses can take, from working up to matron to being advanced practitioners” non-medical prescribing modules and degree course. We’ve all gained more knowledge through study as well as on-the-job experience. What do you enjoy most about nursing? Karen Millar I’m so lucky to have lovely patients to work with in my role as a breast clinical nurse specialist for Private Care. Being able to help guide them through a really difficult time in their lives is a huge privilege. The Royal Marsden fosters development and provides an environment where you can be proud to be a nurse. RJA I really like supporting and managing staff, as well as ensuring the departments I look after provide the best possible care for patients. KB I love the patient interaction – it’s the best part of being a nurse. How has the profession changed in the past 10 years? Jo-Anne Gilroy I think it has changed hugely, especially with advanced roles. FB We have taken on extended roles such as prescribing [drugs] and interpreting diagnostic tests. This enables autonomous working, critical thinking and independent decision-making, which makes nursing a much more exciting and complex role – but equally helps us to deliver much better patient care. JAG When I qualified, I never would have imagined my career would lead me to where I am now. I’m an advanced critical care practitioner and work autonomously, providing specialist care to critically unwell patients. It’s amazing to be part of that and I’m excited to see how it will change in the next 10 years. 16 RM magazine
SH There are so many directions that nurses can take, from working their way up the ladder to matron to being advanced practitioners. If you really want to work hard and apply yourself, there are plenty of opportunities to help you develop. FB Also, a lot of research has allowed nurses to change practice by adapting or implementing new policies to enhance patient care, and to be at the forefront of the latest clinical studies. Joseph Rehberger-Bagley I also think we’ve become more responsive to patient needs and hope we’ll continue to do so. How have you managed your roles during the COVID-19 pandemic? RJA It’s been a steep learning curve, but we’re well trained and always prepared. I’m proud that we’ve delivered safe, quality care without compromise. JRB Having difficult conversations with bereaved families and adhering to the social distancing rules has been really challenging. JAG It’s been challenging in critical care, too – not just for me, but for staff, patients and their relatives. I was partially seconded to the London Ambulance Service, providing critical care transfers across London. I’m not sure anything prepares you for an international health crisis like this one, but I feel that working in a critical care environment gave me a degree of advantage in the situation. Mostly, I am grateful to be part of such an incredibly supportive team. JRB We’ve had our difficulties and all felt the strain, but we’ve adapted and kept going. It’s needed a lot of leadership and teamwork. RM
INSPIRING CHANGE Andy Dimech, Deputy Chief Nurse, on The Royal Marsden’s nursing ethos “Cancer nursing has changed enormously in the past 10 years, and I’m proud to say that our nurses at The Royal Marsden have been at the forefront of that change. “Staff of all levels of seniority are encouraged to enhance patient care by undertaking and implementing research and adopting new ways of working. For years, The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures has shared our expertise with colleagues across the world, but what makes our team outstanding is the collaborative approach and the drive to support each other. “The ‘nurses new to cancer’ course is an example of how the Trust encourages staff to work as a diverse team, rather than just as one ward or unit. We believe this ethos inspires our nurses to understand and learn about different areas of the Trust, rather than just the department they work in. Not only does this reflect our patients’ journey, it also motivates our nurses to continue their careers and education at The Royal Marsden for many years.”
IT HAPPENED TO ME
I TELL EVERYONE I HAVE RECEIVED ‘THE ROYAL TREATMENT’ AT THE ROYAL MARSDEN Anna Selo, 71, lung cancer patient
As funny as it sounds, I felt rather sad finishing treatment because of the comfort and feeling of safety I get in the hospital. I started my treatment very gingerly, but today I feel stronger thanks to the team at The Royal Marsden. Their knowledge, empathy and guidance have alleviated my fears and I now feel equipped for the future. I was told by a doctor that 10 years ago, my prospects wouldn’t have been so good. But a decade on, and thanks to advances in research and new treatments, here I am bouncing back. I am now determined to live to 100 to receive my telegram from the Queen.
“During my radiotherapy treatment, they played my favourite Ella Fitzgerald songs to calm my fears”
IN APRIL THIS YEAR, while the UK was in the midst of full lockdown restrictions due to COVID-19, I completed intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy at The Royal Marsden. I had been diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer at the beginning of the year after a debilitating cold and cough. When the wheezing persisted, I got it investigated. The shock of the diagnosis was so enormous. Even during such uncertain times, I always felt completely safe coming to The Royal
Marsden for treatment. As soon as I arrived at the hospital, I felt guided, protected and cocooned by all the staff. After my first radiotherapy session, I mentioned that my fears could be calmed by listening to the jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. On the next day, and right until the end of my radiotherapy treatment, they played my favourite Ella songs. I became the perfect patient: I didn’t twitch or move a muscle. Where else would you get such royal treatment?
The whole army of staff at The Royal Marsden deserve the highest accolade for their dedicated work, particularly during the fiendishly difficult time of coronavirus that has blighted our lives. You won’t be surprised to hear that every Thursday at 8pm, my family and I would be out in our front gardens for the national Clap for Carers. I’d bring along my frying pan and bang as loudly as I could, reserving the loudest bangs to honour all who work at The Royal Marsden for saving my life. RM
Dr Merina Ahmed
Consultant Clinical Oncologist “Anna was diagnosed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, so had to deal with that in addition to her lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. It was an extremely anxious time for her. “Following discussions with her GP and our psychological support teams, and with the support of our nurses and radiographers, we were able to take Anna through the full course of radical chemoradiation in a COVID-safe environment. It really was a multidisciplinary team approach, requiring constant communication with Anna, but she handled it exceptionally well. “She has had an excellent response to treatment and remains psychologically strong. It has been a pleasure to treat her.”
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A DAY IN T HE L IF E OF
FARSAB NADEEM MEDICA L L A BOR AT ORY AS SIS TA N T
I STARTED WORKING at The Royal Marsden in the blood sciences team last year; my background is in molecular genetics, specialising in cancer genetics. My team is part of the Pathology service, which covers a wide range of departments offering clinical diagnostic services. We’re responsible for the processing, testing, storage and distribution of all patient samples at the hospital – I can often work with more than 500 samples every week. No one day is the same, as I work across a number of different specialities. I’m currently working in the labs in Chelsea as part of a 15-strong team – between us, we cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so there is always someone here to process samples. Blood will tell When I start work at 9am, my first job of the day is usually to help the team book in blood samples for analysis. I work with patients’ ‘unseen data’, gathering information on factors like red blood cell counts and whether there is a fluctuation of hormone levels or a change in tumour markers in the blood. These factors determine whether patients are well enough to be 18 RM magazine
A D AY I N T H E L I F E
“I work with patients’ ‘unseen data’, such as changes in tumour markers in the blood” treated or how they are responding to a particular treatment, and help us identify any unusual activity in their blood count. Measuring the full blood count is particularly crucial for patients who are enrolling on clinical trials. Some of the treatments being trialled can cause the red blood cell count to decrease and result in anaemia in patients, so their red blood cells must be above a certain threshold before they can safely receive a new drug. One of my other priorities is to maintain a sufficient stock of blood and platelets for use in surgery. This has been especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the hospital has been facilitating more surgery through the new Cancer Hub. Faster testing Every week, we get more than 100 swabs and samples from patients who are due to have surgery, all of which need to be tested for any trace of COVID-19, as well as other infections such as MRSA and C. difficile. These tests are vital in a cancer hospital for infection prevention and control and pre-theatre screening. We have nine analysers in our lab, but thanks to a donation from
Ralph Lauren, we now have a brand-new COVID-19 testing facility in the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research. I will be part of the team responsible for running samples on the new analyser, which can give results in two hours, compared with the two to three days it usually takes. It will be used to test any patient who needs a rapid result. This will be hugely beneficial as it will allow us to provide as much cancer treatment as possible as our services recover, and will help us remain COVID-protected. The machine can also be used after the pandemic to test for many other infections.
IN THE PROCESS Farsab is responsible for running tests on patients’ blood samples
Although I mainly work behind the scenes and don’t meet patients in person, I’m incredibly proud and happy when a patient is discharged, and their name no longer appears on the samples. Medical science is incredibly inspiring, and we all want the best outcomes for our patients. It’s a privilege to play a part in their Royal Marsden journey. RM
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ADAP TING TO A NE W RE ALIT Y From virtual consultations to delivering medications, we’ve put in place a range of measures to change the way we provide healthcare and ensure the safety of our patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic Illustrations: Fernando Volken Togni
THE ROYAL MARSDEN has played a crucial role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to provide the highest standards of care for patients. As we adapt to the unprecedented situation, the Trust has implemented several changes to the way we
deliver healthcare in order to adhere to government guidance and ensure that patients still receive the care they need. Here, we highlight the changes to practice we’ve introduced – many of which have opened up new ways of working that are here to stay.
Cancer Hub Patients from hospitals across London can get the surgery they need during the pandemic through the Cancer Hub, a network of surgical teams and operating theatres (read more on page 5). This is now being extended to deliver services such as diagnostics, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Pharmacy couriers We now deliver medication from our pharmacy to patients’ homes, meaning patients are able to avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital. This is particularly important for those who are shielding.
Infection control Virtual team meetings Multidisciplinary team meetings can now take place virtually, bringing clinical staff from different disciplines together online to make decisions on the treatment of individual patients. This removes the need for staff to travel and means meetings are no longer limited by space and social distancing guidelines.
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We have always followed strict infection control guidelines and continue to prioritise these during the pandemic. Anyone in the hospital is now required to wear a face mask and observe social distancing rules. We have also put in place more spacing in communal waiting areas, floor markings and clear signs to remind staff and patients about infection control.
CHANGING PRACTICES
Leading research Researchers at The Royal Marsden have launched several studies to understand and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients. Our research teams have worked rapidly to establish the short-term ramifications on cancer treatment, as well as to develop an understanding of this complex disease over the long term (read more on page 6).
Virtual visits During the pandemic, visitors are prohibited in all but the most exceptional circumstances. But patients can keep in touch with loved ones using iPads and Wi-Fi units donated by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and can be virtually accompanied by relatives to their appointments. Patients who don’t speak English can use virtual translation services and support for consultations.
Digital access
Virtual consultations To reduce hospital visits, we have introduced virtual consultations to allow patients to speak with their consultant via telephone or online video calls. Many patients find this more convenient than travelling into London, and prefer to receive test results at home with their family. For those patients who would struggle with the technology, face-to-face consultations are still an option.
Onsite testing Thanks to a donation from the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, we now have a COVID-19 testing machine in the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research. This will allow us to get test results in as little as two hours – so patients can be tested ahead of surgery and staff who are isolating at home can return to work following a negative result (read more on page 26).
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has donated iPads loaded with tools that enable clinical staff to attend meetings virtually and give them access to the latest research, evidence and guidance. Also, staff can use the Perfect Ward app to conduct audits of clinical areas, including enforcing infection control measures, ensuring medication safety, and evaluating and reporting on patient and staff experience. RM
RM magazine 21
AS SEEN ON SCREEN The Channel 4 documentary focuses on the stories of three young patients and their families (clockwise, from top left): Lily with mum Natalie; Esther, mum of Charlotte; Artemis; and Charlotte
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OCCYP ON TV
AF TER THE CAMER AS STOP ROLLING With The Royal Marsden’s Oak Centre for Children and Young People the focus of a Channel 4 documentary, we speak to the three families featured in the programme LAST YEAR, a camera crew followed three young Royal Marsden patients, their families and hospital staff for six months to film a powerful and emotional portrayal of paediatric cancer. The hour-long documentary – titled Can We Cure Kids’ Cancer? – was shown on Channel 4 in September. It focuses on the work of our Oak Centre for Children and Young People (OCCYP) – one of the largest comprehensive childhood cancer centres in Europe, which sees almost
“We were filmed when we got the amazing news that I’d gone into remission”
600 inpatients and more than 5,000 day patients every year. Here, the families tell us why they got involved and how they’ve been since filming. Lily, 15, and mum Natalie Lily was diagnosed with grey zone lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer, in 2019. At the start of filming, she was halfway through treatment. She says: “I was coming in every three weeks to have chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Having treatment for cancer is really hard. Sometimes I didn’t want to have it because it made me feel so ill. But the nurses at The Royal Marsden are all so lovely and amazing – they made me feel a lot better. “The camera crew filmed with my family and I on Christmas
Eve, when we received the amazing news that I had gone into remission. My super consultant, Dr Elsje van Rijswijk, FaceTimed us from her holiday in South Africa – Mum and I hugged each other and cried. It was emotional! “Since finishing treatment, I’ve been having scans, which so far show the cancer hasn’t returned. It’s been a really difficult time through COVID-19, but we’re just keeping positive and looking to the future.” Esther, mum of Charlotte, 3 Charlotte was diagnosed at 14 weeks with infantile fibrosarcoma. During filming, her family were travelling from their home in Belfast to The Royal Marsden in Sutton every four weeks for treatment. >
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OCCYP ON TV
Mum Esther says: “It amazes people that we come so far, but the bottom line is the OCCYP offers our daughter lifesaving treatment that she couldn’t have anywhere else. “After Charlotte was diagnosed, she had chemotherapy and surgery, which initially kept the cancer at bay. But doctors warned us that this type of tumour can often come back, so they were already thinking of the next steps for her. “They said there was a clinical trial – the first in the UK – at The Royal Marsden, testing a drug called larotrectinib. It targets the genetic abnormality that Charlotte’s tumour had, which is called a NTRK gene fusion. When the tumour did come back, we knew that chemotherapy wasn’t an option. While the consultants said they could operate, they would recommend we tried this new drug. “When we were approached for the documentary, my husband and I really thought everything through before agreeing to take part. The Royal Marsden’s close link to research has been fundamental
CENTRE OF ATTENTION The entrance to the OCCYP in Sutton
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“We think it’s so important to raise awareness of Charlotte’s rare cancer” to Charlotte’s treatment, and we think being able to show that on camera is so important to help raise further awareness of her rare type of cancer and encourage more research. This drug has given Charlotte a quality of life that we couldn’t have dreamed of two years ago. It didn’t just save her, it gave her – and us – a life. “The past few months have been a real rollercoaster for us. But despite being miles away, we have always felt supported by The Royal Marsden and Dr Lynley Marshall [Oak Foundation Consultant Paediatric Oncologist and Head of the Oak Paediatric and Adolescent Drug Development Unit]. The filming may have finished, but Charlotte’s journey continues.” Jody and Juliana, parents of Artemis, 3 Sadly, one of the young patients featured in the documentary, Artemis, passed away as a result of side effects from her treatment. Artemis had been diagnosed in June 2019 with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia. After
TREATMENT TRIALS Dr Lynley Marshall leads paediatric drug development at The Royal Marsden
having initial treatment at local hospitals, she was referred to the OCCYP where she had a stem cell transplant. But she started to suffer severe side effects of the intensive treatment and died two months later. Artemis’ parents, Jody and Juliana, say: “Tests showed that the donor stem cells from our eldest daughter, Matilda, had successfully grafted on to Artemis’ immune system, but the onslaught of the side effects proved too much. To withstand it for as long as she did was a measure of her strength and fighting spirit. We are heartbroken. “We agreed to take part in the documentary at the start of Artemis’ treatment at The Royal Marsden. We hope that some good can come out of it by raising awareness about this rare type of cancer and driving forward research to help find new treatments.” RM
Want to know more? Watch Can We Cure Kids’ Cancer? on demand at channel4.com
South Tyneside 98.2
PLATFORM trial centres and the 20 CCGs in England with the greatest incidence of upper GI cancer Scarborough and Ryedale 88.52
PLATFORM trial centres
Fylde and Wyre 97.68 Southport and Formby 83.43
North Lincolnshire 80.67 North East Lincolnshire 82.72 Lincolnshire East 82.75 South Lincolnshire 83.57
Wigan Borough 84.16 Stockport 81.39 Stoke On Trent 83.12
West Norfolk 83.84
East Staffordshire 81.12
North Norfolk 88.52
Cannock Chase 81.57
Great Yarmouth and Waveney 94.02
Coastal West Sussex 83.22
Isle of Wight 105.46
Fareham and Gosport 81.21
Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford 81.34
ACCESS ALL AREAS The BRC is committed to ensuring cancer patients across England can benefit from clinical research TOGETHER, THE ROYAL MARSDEN and the Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR) believe that our research gives hope and options to people with cancer and contributes to the smarter, kinder treatments of tomorrow. At the heart of everything we do is the desire to ensure that patients everywhere benefit from our work. The health of people differs from place to place, with some areas having more cases of certain types of cancer than others. To ensure research is available in the areas that need it most, and to as many people as possible, The Royal Marsden and the ICR work with
local hospital partners across the UK. But we always strive to do more, and now, thanks to specially commissioned cancer incidence ‘heat maps’, we can be more targeted in our approach. In order to help identify hospitals to participate in our research, these maps indicate how many people are diagnosed with 15 different types of cancer – from breast cancer to sarcoma – each month in 192 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) around England, highlighting areas where incidence rates are highest and lowest. This data-driven approach is central to ensuring that we expand the
Source: NIHR Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre; NIHR BRC at The Royal Marsden and the ICR. Data from 2018/19. Figures indicate newly diagnosed patients resident at each CCG per 100,000 CCG population
geographical reach of our research so that more people with cancer can access our innovative treatments close to home. One example is the Royal Marsden-led PLATFORM trial, which aims to discover whether providing additional treatment after initial chemotherapy or targeted therapy can increase the time it takes for oesophageal or stomach cancer to come back. The trial is already open at 46 hospitals around the UK, including those serving areas of England that have a high prevalence of upper gastrointestinal cancers (see map). The maps will also help to identify future sites for this and other trials from across the eight research themes of the Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Professor David Cunningham, Director of Clinical Research and the trial’s Chief Investigator, says: “The Royal Marsden and the ICR have a world-leading partnership that places us at the forefront of cancer treatment and research. “Our vision is to ensure that people with cancer, living in those parts of the country most affected by a specific condition, have the greatest opportunity to participate in and benefit from our leadingedge research.” RM
What is the Biomedical Research Centre?
The National Institute for Health Research-funded Biomedical Research Centre for cancer is a partnership between The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research, London. It supports the rapid translation of leading-edge cancer research from the laboratory and into a clinical setting. Find out more at cancerbrc.org RM magazine 25
Ralph Lauren funds vital testing kit
CONTINUING CARE The Charity has helped to bolster services at the Trust during the pandemic
Support in a crisis THE ROYAL MARSDEN CANCER CHARITY has been providing vital support to patients and staff at The Royal Marsden during the continuing COVID-19 crisis. In March, the Charity launched an emergency appeal, raising £1 million in just one month. The fund has now raised more than £1.8 million. The money raised has funded psychological support for staff, digital resources such as iPads for doctors to carry out remote consultations,
and Wi-Fi upgrades on hospital wards to enable patients to keep in touch with their loved ones while visits were restricted. The Charity is now focusing on raising funds to support crucial research studies that are investigating the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients (see page 6 for more).
Want to know more? Visit royalmarsden.org/ emergency-appeal
New COVID-19 testing equipment has been installed at The Royal Marsden to support patients during and beyond the pandemic, thanks to a United Way Worldwide grant to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity through the generosity of The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation. The equipment enables the hospital to find out sooner whether patients have the virus and ensure they are cared for in the most appropriate way. The Charity has a longstanding relationship with Ralph Lauren, who, in addition to funding the testing equipment, has also helped raise funds to support the COVID-19 emergency appeal. Antonia Dalmahoy, Managing Director of the Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Ralph Lauren and The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation. Their support ensures we can continue to provide critical help to patients at a time when they need it most.”
Lockdown heroes Royal Marsden Cancer Charity supporters have been raising money in inventive ways during the lockdown. GP Dr Emma Watts and her daughter Sienna were devastated when the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race was cancelled. Instead, the 26 RM magazine
pair set up two paddling machines and did the race in their back garden, raising an incredible £5,649. And when the Virgin Money London Marathon was cancelled, Chris Spencer – who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of melanoma last
October – ran the distance by doing a dizzying 8,440 lengths of his five-metre balcony. He then took on an Ironman triathlon, which included another balcony marathon, 3.8km on a rowing machine and 180km on a static bike. His fantastic efforts raised £2,500.
T H E R O YA L M A R S D E N C A N C E R C H A R I T Y
REACH FOR THE STARS SHINING BRIGHT Celebrate a Life stars on the Christmas tree
CELEBRATE A LIFE is a special occasion when supporters, patients and staff come together to celebrate everyone dear to us. Every winter, thousands of gold stars are displayed on the Christmas trees outside our Chelsea and Sutton hospitals, each one with the name of someone special written in the centre.
The stars are displayed on the Christmas trees outside our hospitals
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope to hold our Celebrate a Life services this December. But the wellbeing of supporters is our priority and we want to ensure we can hold a safe event, according to public health guidelines. If a physical event is not possible, the trees and stars will still be installed at both hospitals. And, for the first time, there will be a virtual tree on our website where you can search for your star.
Want to know more? Visit royalmarsden.org/star or keep an eye on our social media for updates
Contact The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Telephone 020 7808 2233 Email charity@royalmarsden.org Visit royalmarsden.org Registered Charity No. 1095197
Man to man Father and Son Day was set up in 2014 by Daniel Marks and Jack Dyson, two survivors of testicular cancer, to increase awareness about male cancers and to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Despite the lockdown, this was the most exciting year yet in fundraising and encouraging men to reach out and talk about their health, particularly any symptoms of cancer. Funds raised from this year’s campaign went towards The Royal Marsden’s psychological support team, who help both staff and patients in managing the emotional and psychological toll of cancer. Orlebar Brown and Mr Porter also released exclusive T-shirts, with net profits donated to the Charity.
March next May
We are delighted to have rearranged The Banham Marsden March for 23 May 2021 after we unfortunately had to postpone the 2020 walk due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be our 10th anniversary of the walk and we plan to celebrate our first decade in style, with more walkers than ever before. We’re aiming to raise £2 million for a very special cause: the construction of the Oak Cancer Centre in Sutton. So please sign up now at royalmarsden.org/ march, and we look forward to seeing you in 2021! . RM magazine 27
FAREWELL TO THREE STALWART GOVERNORS After nine years, a trio of our longest-serving Governors have stood down after reaching the end of their final term
AFTER SERVING THREE terms of three years, Fiona Stewart, Dr Carol Joseph and Robert Freeman have stepped down from their roles as Patient Governor, Public Governor and Nominated Governor respectively. The Trust would like to express its sincere thanks for their
“It’s been a privilege to be a part of The Royal Marsden for so long... I’ll miss it enormously” 28 RM magazine
dedication and contribution to the Council of Governors over the years. Fiona, who has been a patient at The Royal Marsden since 2005 and was Lead Governor for two years, knows the hospital well and used her personal insight to help improve the experience of patients and carers at The Royal Marsden. “I’m sad to stand down, but it’s time for someone with more recent experience as a patient to take on the role,” says Fiona, who remains a member of the Patient and Carer Advisory Group. “It’s so important to consider the patient perspective.”
BOWING OUT Fiona Stewart and Dr Carol Joseph (above); Councillor Robert Freeman (right)
Carol was also Lead Governor for two years. Together with Fiona, she worked to develop the annual Members’ Week to increase patient and public membership and to tell people more about the amazing work the hospital does for patients. Carol says: “I will always stay committed to The Royal Marsden’s ethos and excellence, and it was a huge privilege to work with friends and colleagues over the past nine years. I will miss them.” Councillor Robert Freeman, the former Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, chose The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as his mayor’s charity, as well as serving as a Nominated Governor for nine years. “It’s been a privilege to be a part of The Royal Marsden for so long,” says Robert. “I was delighted to be able to contribute towards the advancement of treatment for thoracic and lung cancer at the Trust and the Royal Brompton through the funds raised while I was Mayor. “The Royal Marsden is very special, with its priority of excellence. I will miss it enormously.”
F O U N DAT I O N N E W S
Dates for your diary Board of Directors meeting 15 September 2020 Annual General Meeting 15 September 2020 Council of Governors meeting 30 September 2020
APPOINTED FOR A SECOND TERM THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS has approved the recommendations of the Nominations Committee to reappoint Heather Lawrence OBE and Professor Martin Elliott (pictured above) as nonexecutive directors (NEDs) at The Royal Marsden for a second three-year term. Heather was Chief Executive at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust from
2000 to 2012. She now serves as Chair of the London Ambulance Service in addition to her NED role at The Royal Marsden. Formerly a paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Professor Elliott is Professor in Cardiothoracic Surgery at University College London and is Fellow and Emeritus Professor of Physic at Gresham College.
Heather is Chair of the London Ambulance Service while Professor Elliott is Professor in Cardiothoracic Surgery at UCL
THE RESULTS ARE IN! Congratulations to the candidates who have been elected following our recent Governor elections: Hardev Sagoo Staff Governor for Corporate & Support Services Debra Hoe Public Governor for Kensington & Chelsea Dee Loughran Patient Governor for Elsewhere in London
Our Governors play an important role in the governance framework of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust by attending quarterly Council of Governor meetings and the Annual General Meeting, in which they discuss key issues as well as the strategic direction of the organisation while representing the views of their members.
Want to know more? Visit royalmarsden.nhs.uk/about-royal-marsden/ how-we-run-ourselves/council-governors
Council of Governors meeting 9 December 2020 For details of these meetings, please call 020 7808 2844 or email corporate governance@ rmh.nhs.uk
Keep in touch To contact your Governor, email governors@ rmh.nhs.uk or telephone 020 7808 2844
Become a member To sign up and become a member, visit royalmarsden. nhs.uk/ membership or call 020 7808 2844 to request a membership form
RM magazine 29
PUZZLES & PRIZES
PRIZE CROSSWORD
Send your crossword with your name and contact details to RM, PR and Communications Team, The Royal Marsden, Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3 6JJ. The entry closing date is Wednesday 28 October 2020. See below for prize draw rules. Spring 2020 crossword solution Across 1 Abracadabra 6 Bib 7 Nannies 8 Maize 9 Eagle 11 Assam 13 Pedal 15 Raisins 16 AKA 17 Side saddle Down 1 Album 2 Rabbits 3 Canoe 4 Dante 5 Aisle 10 Gadwall 11 Acres 12 Maids 13 Posed 14 Leads Congratulations to Hannah Bailey, the winner of the spring 2020 issue’s crossword prize. 2
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THE TEAM
Try the fiendishly tricky numbers puzzle – it’s just for fun
FOR THE ROYAL MARSDEN
2 4
The lucky winner of our prize crossword will receive a £50 John Lewis & Partners gift card.
1
SUDOKU
14
16
6 4 3 2 3 6 1 9 8
9
8 5 6 9 7 1 6 7 8
5 3 4 9 7
6 9 3
2 6
CROSSWORD CLUES Across 1 Shortened (11) 6 Boy (3) 7 Toxic plant (7) 8 Tree (5) 9 Striped cat (5) 11 Herb (5) 13 African, catlike, spotted animal (5) 15 Hot, spicy pepper (7) 16 Top of a container (3) 17 Describes a friendly person living nearby (11)
Down 1 Improvise (2-3) 2 Nocturnal animals (7) 3 Our planet (5) 4 Block of metal (5) 5 Father (5) 10 One who is clumsy and incompetent (7) 11 Cured pork (5) 12 Midday meal (5) 13 El _____, Renaissance painter (5) 14 Stuffed toy (5)
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AUTUMN 2020 PRIZE CROSSWORD ENTRY FORM Fill in your details below when sending in your crossword competition entry. See above for details of our address. NAME ADDRESS
POST CODE TELEPHONE
30 RM magazine
PRIZE DRAW TERMS AND 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 Wednesday 28 October 2020. 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 a £50 John Lewis & Partners gift card will be the first correct entry drawn out of the bag. 9. The Promoter is The Royal Marsden, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ.
Rachael Reeve Director of Marketing and Communications Elaine Parr Head of PR and Communications Abby Samuel Senior PR and Communications Manager Catherine O’Mara Senior PR and Communications Officer Hannah Bransden Senior PR and Communications Officer Francesca Vitale Senior PR and Communications Officer Orla Anandarajah PR and Communications Assistant
FOR SUNDAY Marc Grainger Editor Mark Wheeler Art Director Sian Purdy Designer Jenny Hogan Account Director Richard Robinson Content Director Sam Walker Creative Director Toby Smeeton Managing Director RM magazine is published by The Royal Marsden in partnership with Sunday: wearesunday.com © The Royal Marsden 2020. 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 Geoff Neal Group.
S TAY I N T O U C H
COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE Join the conversation on Twitter @royalmarsden and @royalmarsdenNHS Facebook @royalmarsden, @royalmarsdenchelsea and @royalmarsdensutton Instagram @royalmarsden Twitter
Shiona Ramage @shomelanoma Fabulous weekend skiing in Chatel, French Alps gorgeous views [right]… feeling grateful to be enjoying these adventures nearly 3 years on with #stage4 #melanoma Thank you @royalmarsden x Megan @applepiedash Just got “results” back from my first @GiveBloodNHS donation. It went to the Royal Marsden Hospital, which is amazing because my grandad was treated there when he had a brain tumor. Celia Jones @Celia_E_Jones I am so grateful to @royalmarsden and all they
Lisa Scoates My mum has been a patient for 16 years now and we always feel safe and welcomed by the amazing staff. Mum had a bone marrow aspiration today and the staff were absolutely fantastic. We are so thankful that Mum receives such wonderful care. do. Just had a tiny glimmer of positive news about my mum’s treatment. Mo @minimoze A year after major surgery my lovely daughter went back for a ‘tidy up’, all went well, so that’s another step out of the way, thanks to The Royal Marsden Sutton
Julie Bruzon Exceptional hospital and staff... can’t thank them all enough... they saved my life xxxx
Liz Sawyer Thank you for everything you do! We will always be grateful to you for saving our daughter’s life!
Marcel Van Wyk @marcelvanwyk1 It’s @livingwithovariancancer last treatment after 6 chemotherapy and 18 immunotherapy treatments. I am so proud of Amy... she has received excellent treatment at #theroyalmarsden #ilovemywife [above]
STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE ROYAL MARSDEN CANCER CHARITY
CONTACT THE FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL MARSDEN, CHELSEA
CONTACT US CALL THE ROYAL MARSDEN, CHELSEA
020 7352 8171
CONTACT THE ROYAL MARSDEN HELP CENTRE For confidential chat, support and information, call
CALL THE ROYAL MARSDEN, SUTTON
0800 783 7176
020 7808 2233
CALL US
CALL US
VISIT US ONLINE royalmarsden.nhs.uk
or visit royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ your-care/royal-marsdenhelp-centre
EMAIL US charity@royalmarsden.org
EMAIL US friends.chelsea@rmh.nhs.uk
VISIT US ONLINE royalmarsden.org
VISIT US ONLINE formc.uk
Registered Charity No. 1095197
Registered Charity No. 222613
020 8642 6011
WANT TO WORK AT THE ROYAL MARSDEN? Visit jobs.royalmarsden.nhs.uk READ RM MAGAZINE ONLINE royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ rm-magazine
For general feedback, compliments, concerns or complaints, send us a message royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ contact-us/get-in-touch
020 7352 3875
Look out for the winter 2020 issue of RM – coming December 2020 RM magazine 31
10 t hA n niversa r y
Together we walk
Join us for the special tenth anniversary of The Banham Marsden March, now scheduled for 23 May 2021. This year, every step you take of the 5 or 15 mile walk will help us build the Oak Cancer Centre. This brand-new facility will speed up our research into life-saving treatments and ensure we can be there for everyone who needs us.
Sign up at royalmarsden.org/march Registered Charity No. 1095197
