RM M A G A Z I N E SPRING 2022
WELCOMING THE WORLD Our mission to help international nurses join the team
Green is good: our plan to cut our carbon footprint A safe space: how we support patients’ mental wellbeing
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 Your health in mind How our Adult Psychological Support Service helps patients with their mental wellbeing 14 The future is green Our ambitious strategy to achieve net zero by 2040 18 A day in the life Manuela Trofor, Matron on the Medical Day Unit in Chelsea, explains her role 20 A world of experience Why we recruit skilled nurses from across the globe 23 It happened to me Fran Whitfield talks about her cancer journey 24 A better outlook The work of our Neuro-oncology Unit is extending lives 26 Fundraising News from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity 28 An image of the future Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to detect bone disease 29 Foundation news Updates from our Foundation Trust and Governors 30 Puzzles and prizes Test your wits and win a prize with our crossword
WELCOME to the spring 2022 edition of RM, the magazine for our staff, patients, carers and Foundation Trust members. On page 20, we look at our international nurse recruitment programme, and meet some of the nurses who moved to the UK and are progressing their careers at The Royal Marsden. Also in this issue, we introduce the Digital Health Record (DHR) (page 10), which is due to launch in 2023 and is one of the most significant digital transformation projects we have ever embarked on; and our ambitious Green Plan, which outlines our strategy to become a net-zero hospital by 2040 (page 14). We also meet the highly skilled team of mental health professionals offering our patients the psychological support they need to help them return to their lives once they have completed cancer treatment (page 12). And on page 24, there’s an insight into how our Neuro-oncology Unit – which has recently been awarded Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence status – is using clinical trials, enhanced imaging techniques and pioneering radiation treatments to improve the outlook for patients. I hope you enjoy this issue.
31 Stay in touch Your comments on social media, plus hospital contacts
ON THE COVER Mohamad Ibrahim, Senior Nurse
Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive, The Royal Marsden
Some photographs in this issue were taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and may not reflect current social distancing and PPE guidelines
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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
Wall of inclusion
AWARD-WINNING ARTIST Ashton Attzs (right) has created this colourful mural for The Royal Marsden’s Oak Centre for Children and Young People. The artist was commissioned by the hospital’s Youth Forum to create a mural to reflect LGBTQ+ inclusion, and the work now adorns the wall leading up to the Teenage and Young People’s Ward. The mural, funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, was designed by patient Joshua Stedford (left). Ashton said: “I believe art is for everyone, and it is lovely to see how this mural will help young people know they are in a space where inclusion is a priority.”
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? DID YOU KNOW? Our Disabilities and LongTerm Health Conditions Network has been renamed Access for All. It provides an informal space for staff with disabilities across the hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, to meet with colleagues.
A MAJOR STEP Dr Katharine Aitken hailed the approval of SABR for pancreatic cancer patients
Targeted radiotherapy for even more patients PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENTS will have access to targeted radiotherapy following approval by NHS England – thanks to an application co-led by The Royal Marsden. NHS patients with suitable locally advanced, inoperable, non-metastatic pancreatic carcinoma (LANPC) will be eligible for stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) as an alternative to conventional chemoradiation. The Royal Marsden’s SABR programme, one of the first in the UK, has been running since 2011 and is equipped with two specialist CyberKnife machines, as well as an MR Linac. SABR is a highly targeted form of radiotherapy that delivers multiple radiation beams from different angles around the body at the same time. It is delivered
in fewer treatment sessions than conventional radiotherapy: patients with LANPC are given five treatments over two weeks, instead of a typical course of 28-30 daily treatments over six weeks. Dr Katharine Aitken, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, said: “It is great news for patients to have access to this treatment when it is rolled out across the UK over the next year. SABR enables patients to have radiation over a much shorter period of time, due to the highly targeted way it is given. “Reducing the number of hospital visits is hugely beneficial for patients who will have already spent time regularly attending the hospital for their chemotherapy treatment, giving them more time to spend with their families.” RM magazine 5
Our researchers continue to break new ground EXPERTS AT THE ROYAL MARSDEN are leading on pioneering cancer research, with our work being published in high-profile journals. Combining drugs to tackle DIPG In a study published in Cancer Discovery, researchers – including Dr Fernando Carceller and Dr Lynley Marshall, Consultants in Paediatric and Adolescent Neuro-oncology in the Oak Paediatric and Adolescent Drug Development Unit – identified a potential new drug combination for children with incurable brain cancer. They found that using the leukaemia drug dasatinib alongside
These drugs are a potential treatment for children with incurable brain cancer
the melanoma treatment trametinib slowed the growth of cancer cells taken from patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), the most deadly paediatric brain tumour, who had a particular genetic mutation. The team is working to take this combination forward in an international trial. Identifying Omicron resistance Nearly half of blood cancer patients do not have detectable levels of antibodies that can neutralise the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant after a third vaccine dose, according to new data from The Royal Marsden and the Francis Crick Institute published in The Lancet. As part of the ongoing CAPTURE study, funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, researchers have been monitoring the immune responses of hundreds of patients with different types of cancer after one, two and three RESEARCH LEADERS Dr Fernando Carceller (above) and Dr Lynley Marshall (left)
doses of COVID-19 vaccine. This was the first report of immunity against Omicron in cancer patients, and highlights the importance of a fourth booster dose for patients with blood cancers. Five-drug cocktail extends life A combination of five existing drugs can keep disease at bay for longer in patients with a highly aggressive type of bone marrow cancer, according to data presented at the American Society of Hematology conference in December. The MUK Nine b: OPTIMUM trial, led at The Royal Marsden, researched if the drugs, along with a stem cell transplant, allowed patients with ultra-high risk multiple myeloma to live longer before their disease progressed than those who received the standard of care.
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BULLETIN
In-house liquid biopsy testing on the horizon
THE MOON AND THE STARS ARE THE GIFTS YOU GAVE
RAPID TESTS Professor Michael Hubank
THE ROYAL MARSDEN is setting up a state-ofthe-art facility for testing liquid biopsies in the Centre for Molecular Pathology, thanks to a partnership with precision oncology company Guardant Health.
“We’ll offer faster and more accurate diagnosis”
Liquid biopsies detect DNA shed by cancers into the blood and can provide the genetic profile of the tumour, helping us to personalise treatments for patients. With access to innovative Guardant Health technology, the facility will speed up the turnaround time for testing liquid biopsies and increase our capacity and scope for research using these tests. Professor Michael Hubank, Director of Clinical Genomics,
said: “This facility will provide many of our patients with rapid access to bespoke diagnostic testing, leading to earlier, faster and more accurate diagnosis, along with targeted treatment selection and monitoring. “It will also help us identify more people with cancer for clinical trials based on targeted treatments, improving outcomes for patients across the UK and beyond.”
Could AI spot cancer complications sooner? The Royal Marsden has launched a study to detect complications from cancer earlier using artificial intelligence (AI), following a UK-first partnership with healthcare AI company Imagia. With access to Imagia’s AI platform EVIDENS, researchers will analyse the scans of 14,000 cancer patients to test and train a computer algorithm.
Professor Dow-Mu Koh, Consultant Radiologist, said: “AI is set to revolutionise many aspects of cancer diagnosis and treatment. “This project will explore whether an AI model can be developed to pick up complications for cancer sooner, allowing for timely intervention and earlier treatment.”
Artist Andrew Logan has donated a new artwork to The Royal Marsden themed around the moon and stars, after he received treatment for prostate cancer. Installed in the Wallace Wing, the artwork (above) was created using Andrew’s signature mixture of resin and glass, and accompanies a sun-themed piece he donated in 2019. “I wanted to create something to make people happy and bring joy to those going through a difficult time,” Andrew said. “As a cancer patient, I know some days during treatment can be difficult, and I hope these pieces lighten the souls of other hospital patients a little. “For me, the sun represents life force, and it’s an image I’ve used many times. I then decided to create the moon and stars sculpture so The Royal Marsden could have whole the universe!” The Royal Marsden’s arts programme is funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. RM magazine 7
INPATIENTS GIVE US THE THUMBS UP
The results are in from the Care Quality Commission’s latest Adult Inpatient Survey. A highlight from the survey – conducted in late 2020 and announced in October 2021 – showed that The Royal Marsden was one of just six NHS trusts across England that patients said were performing ‘much better than expected’. We ranked first in the region for patient responses to questions about their overall experience in hospital and whether they were asked during their stay to give their views on the quality of their care. We also ranked second in the region for whether patients felt they were treated with respect and dignity while in the hospital. Overall, the rate of responses from our patients was 64 per cent, compared with the national average of just 46 per cent. Want to know more? See the full results at cqc.org.uk/publications/ surveys/adult-inpatientsurvey-2020
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HIGHLY CITED (Clockwise from right) Professors James Larkin, Johann de Bono, Kevin Harrington, Nicholas Turner and David Cunningham
Experts join world’s most influential researchers ROYAL MARSDEN CONSULTANTS have been named in a list of the world’s most influential researchers over the past decade. Professors David Cunningham, James Larkin, Nicholas Turner, Johann de Bono and Kevin Harrington, as well as the recently retired Professor Mitch Dowsett, featured in the latest Highly Cited Researchers list published by science analytics company Clarivate.
The list considers how often an academic paper is cited by other published papers as a measure of a researcher’s influence within their field. Researchers who rank in the top one per cent for citations are considered world-leading. Professor David Cunningham, Director of Clinical Research, said: “This is a testament to the breadth of research carried out at The Royal Marsden that benefits our patients and those worldwide.”
BULLETIN
PROUD TO BE VETERAN AWARE ? DID YOU KNOW? The Royal Marsden’s annual flu campaign, which encourages staff to get the flu jab to help protect our patients and each other, won the Best Employee Engagement Initiative prize at the 2021 CorpComms Awards.
SPIRITUAL CARE Rev Tasha Critchlow in the Chelsea chapel
Welcome to our new chaplain THE ROYAL MARSDEN has welcomed Rev Tasha Critchlow as its new Lead Chaplain. Tasha, who joined last September, has worked at several other trusts during her eight years as an NHS chaplain. She was compelled to join our team after reading patients’ amazing feedback about their holistic treatment and care at the hospital. “When I came to the wards, I somehow felt at home,” Tasha said. “My calling as a priest was most fully answered among people who were in a difficult place. That’s where they
needed a comforting, compassionate presence... that somebody up there truly cared for them and was holding every atom of their body together.” The Royal Marsden has chaplains from a variety of faiths and denominations who offer spiritual care for patients, families and staff, and there are chapels at both Chelsea and Sutton hospitals. “Chelsea chapel takes my breath away,” Tasha said. “You really should visit – faith or not!”
“When I came to the wards, I somehow felt at home”
Want to know more?
The Royal Marsden is proud to be accredited as a Veteran Aware NHS trust. This award from the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance recognises our commitment to supporting staff and patients who serve, or have served, in the UK’s armed forces. The Trust has pledged to ensure that members of the armed forces community are never disadvantaged when receiving care, and that our staff are trained in veteran-specific needs. We also support the employment of veterans, recognising military skills and qualifications in the recruitment process, and encourage staff to become reservists. The Veteran Aware logo will be prominently displayed around the hospital, with messages encouraging our veteran patients and their families to identify themselves to their clinicians. The Trust has also been awarded the bronze award by the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme for its support of the armed forces community. Want to know more? Visit royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ veteran-aware
Contact the Chaplaincy at Chelsea on 020 7808 2818 or at Sutton on 020 8661 3646 RM magazine 9
IN BRIEF Why have we partnered with another hospital? A There are a number of advantages of connecting with another trust. For us, we can benefit from the technology and learning that GOSH achieved when it implemented the system in 2019. Collaboration also allows both organisations to share resources and expertise to best develop the platform. We can achieve far more together than we can alone.
Volunteer award
After becoming the first Royal Marsden volunteer to be awarded a National Volunteer Certificate (NVC) in September, Gemma Buckell (above) went on to complete 60 hours of voluntary duties. Not only has she achieved full NVC Accreditation for the programme, but she is also now working for the Trust. Congratulations!
Levelling up
The Royal Marsden has pledged to measure its social impact by aiming to achieve ‘levelling up goals’ that cover key life stages. The Trust will produce a Levelling Up Impact Report based on the goals, which have been developed by a coalition of businesses, NHS organisations, councils, universities and a crossparty group of MPs.
Paeds team prize
The nursing team behind a pioneering aftercare clinic for children and young people with central nervous system malignancy has secured a top prize from the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group. Erica Geffen, Laurie Josephs and Joanna Stone developed a pilot project that studied potential late effects of treatments.
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Q&A: DIGITAL HEALTH RECORD Hayley Grafton, Chief Nursing Information Officer, explains how we’re updating our patient record systems Q What is the Connect DHR programme? A Connect is the programme behind the implementation of our new Digital Health Record (DHR), which will replace our current patient record systems to provide an accurate, real-time view of patient information, and allow us to capture clinical information at the point of care. The DHR will be accessible across all hospital sites and remotely.
It will also provide us with new functionality, such as electronic medication charts, and will enable future digital innovations. This is a big-ticket item in our wider digital transformation efforts at the Trust, and one of the most ambitious programmes of work we’ve ever taken on. Q We are working in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) on this project.
“The patient portal will be like a ‘digital front door’ to the Trust”
Q How will Connect benefit staff and patients? A There are so many benefits, but overall, they fall into three key themes: enhancing patient safety, improving efficiencies, and data quality. More efficient ways of working will free up more time for clinicians to spend with their patients. The patient portal will be a real improvement for both staff and patients. I like to look at it as a ‘digital front door’ to the Trust, which will help patients interact with us more easily and improve the control they have over their care and treatment. I hope it will help people fit their healthcare into their lives, rather than fitting their lives around their healthcare. Q What are the next steps? A The next step is to build a system that is usercentred and fit for purpose. To do this, we intend to engage both staff and patients through all stages of the design, build and implementation.
BULLETIN
AND THE WINNERS ARE... Working Collaboratively These individuals and teams have worked together in exceptional ways over the past year to help The Royal Marsden deliver the best in patient care. • Suzanne MacMahon Genomic Scientist • Camilla Boyd Clinical Business Unit Manager and Matron of the Cancer Hub • The Digital Services team • The Cavendish Square project team
Pioneering Change BEST OF THE BEST Mittal Patel, part of our Cavendish Square team (left); Ravishankar Rao Baikady (above left); one of our team of play specialists (above right)
The winners have all strived to find better ways of doing things, improving patient care with their positive and solution-focused attitudes. • Ravishankar Rao Baikady Consultant Anaesthetist • Gema Munoz Mozas Lead Vascular Access Nurse • Mikki Summers Radiology Services Manager • Abigail Temple Clinical Research Operations Manager
Pursuing Excellence These members of staff have all gone the extra mile to transform services and raise the profile and reputation of The Royal Marsden.
Celebrating our sensational staff IN DECEMBER, we held our Staff Achievement Awards – supported by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – to celebrate the very best of our staff. A highlight of The Royal Marsden’s calendar, the annual awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the colleagues who have gone above and beyond to uphold the Trust’s values, make an outstanding contribution to their teams’ work, and deliver the best possible care for our patients.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our in-person event was cancelled. So we announced the winners virtually, joined by special guests including actors Olivia Colman and Christopher Eccleston, and presenter Alexander Armstrong. Open to all clinical, non-clinical and corporate members of staff, the 2021 categories reflected the Trust’s four values, with four winners receiving awards in each category. Many congratulations to all the winners!
• Caroline Chapman Brachytherapy Consultant Radiographer •B arry Pridmore Head of Volunteer Services • Nadine Standen Senior Staff Nurse • Danielle Casey Haematology Clinical Practice Educator
Showing Kindness All these winners exemplify what it means to care. Their extraordinary kindness and compassion have had a huge impact on those around them. • Simeon Arada Nuclear Medicine Technologist • Trevor Warner Waste and Grounds Coordinator • The Horder Ward team • The Play Specialist team
Lifetime Achievement Award • Neelam Sarpal Clinical Nurse Specialist RM magazine 11
YOUR HE A LT H IN MIND Cancer can stir up feelings that are difficult to process, so our highly skilled team of mental health professionals offers patients much-needed psychological support
FOR MANY PATIENTS, receiving a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment can have a huge impact psychologically as well as physically. As Sonali Seddon, Oncology Psychotherapist in The Royal Marsden’s Adult Psychological Support Service, says: “It’s not only your body going through the treatment – it’s your whole self.” Supported by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, our psychological support service includes art therapists, counsellors and psychotherapists, psychologists, mental health nurses, a psychiatrist and psychosexual therapists, and accepts referrals for patients who 12 RM magazine
have had treatment within the past two years. It’s often soon after – irrespective of the outcome – when challenging emotions surface. “Throughout treatment, they’ve kept themselves together, focusing on getting through it,” explains Sonali. “But after it’s finished, and they no longer have the eye of the hospital on them, there’s a sense of, ‘Gosh, what have I been through? How do I live my life after this?’ It’s a huge shock.” There’s also an expectation that, post-treatment, life should have returned to normal. “People think, ‘[I] should be happy, [my] treatment was successful,’” she says. “But there’s still a big recovery that
BUILDING TRUST Therapist Caroline Lovett looks after patients’ sexual wellbeing
needs to happen psychologically. They’re still grieving something and still living with huge uncertainty. Patients often talk about how lonely it is to be a cancer patient because no one really gets it.” To begin the journey to psychological recovery, Sonali and the team work on building a therapeutic relationship with their patients. “It’s about having a space that has a boundary, but is outside their everyday life,” she says. In this safe and impartial space, the patient feels able to tell their story and begin to understand what they’ve experienced. “There’s huge power in having someone who’s non-judgemental
M E N TA L H E A LT H
providing a therapeutic space,” says Sonali. “Patients can say something that is really hard to voice otherwise. It can be part of the reparative experience.” Art works One of the services the team offers is art therapy. “Patients don’t have to be good at art,” explains Alison Templeman-Wright, Senior Art Psychotherapist. “It’s about exploring the materials. “The art acts as a bridge to communication – for some people, it can be really helpful. If they can see something they’ve made, then through our conversation I can point things out and they suddenly realise what’s been staring them in the face.” Art therapy works on many different levels. For some patients, simply using the material itself can be very relaxing, making them feel more comfortable to talk about their difficulties. For others, the therapy is a useful tool for accessing something deeper. “The actual sensory act of making the artwork can tap into feelings and memories they’ve perhaps dampened or not understood,” says Alison. “But through the sessions, they can start to understand why they’re feeling this way.”
GOOD TO TALK Psychotherapist Sonali Seddon helps patients understand their experiences
Sex after cancer Sexual wellbeing is commonly affected by cancer, so psychosexual therapy is another key element of our support for patients. “Any cancer diagnosis can affect how we feel about being a sexual person, as well as the general mechanics of sex,” says Caroline Lovett, Senior Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist. “When patients first get their diagnosis, it’s not usually what they think about – they’re just coping with
“It’s about having a space that has a boundary, but is outside of everyday life”
the diagnosis and treatment. But often afterwards, they question: ‘Who am I sexually now, and is anything going to feel different?’” Caroline sees people from all stages of life (“My youngest patient is 16 and my oldest is well into their 80s”) and, as well as offering reassurance that what they’re going through is normal, she helps her patients find practical solutions. For example, she has worked with teenagers who have gone through an early menopause as a result of their treatment. Breaking down barriers One of Caroline’s biggest challenges is helping her patients overcome their embarrassment. “Often, on the first session, they can be a bit nervous,” she says. “Humour can be useful in breaking down those barriers. After the first few sessions, they start to trust me and open up. “It’s really important that we give people an opportunity to talk about
how they are sexually because our sexuality is a huge part of our happiness and how we feel about ourselves. I can be talking to people in their 70s or 80s and they tell me that this is the first time in their life they’ve really been able to talk honestly about that sexual side of themselves. The sessions can be very permission-giving.” Psychological support after a cancer diagnosis is a crucial aspect of patients’ recovery and The Royal Marsden excels in recognising this, says Sonali. “We’re a fantastic team and it’s such a privilege to work with patients and be alongside them on their journey. We’re experts at what we do, and we’re experts in cancer.” RM
Want to know more? Contact the Adult Psychological Support Service at Chelsea on 020 7808 2777 or Sutton on 020 8661 3006 RM magazine 13
The future is green Our Green Plan sets out The Royal Marsden’s strategy to reduce our carbon emissions and support the NHS’s ambition to become the first net-zero health service in the world
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GREEN PLAN
IN 2020, NHS England committed to becoming the world’s first net-zero national health service. Its Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service report sets out how, as the UK’s single biggest organisation, it aims to reduce its carbon emissions to zero by 2040 – a decade ahead of the 2050 target set by the British government. At The Royal Marsden, we’ve launched our Green Plan, which puts forward the measures we’ll take to support this ambitious goal. “It’s a live document, which we’re constantly updating,” says Sunil Vyas, Director of Projects and Estates, who is leading on the Green Plan. “Our steering group updates it with new actions, and every year we’ll report on what we’ve done to our board.” Significant progress We’ve already made considerable progress, having cut our direct carbon emissions by 33 per cent since 2009/10. In 2014, we installed a combined heat and power (CHP) plant at our site in Sutton, and in January this year, we installed another in Chelsea. “A CHP plant runs on gas,” explains Sunil. “As well as generating a huge amount of electricity, it produces heat. That waste heat is used to heat up our buildings and our water.” Since 2015, none of our waste has gone to landfill, and, from last April, all our imported electricity has come from a renewable tariff. To reduce our emissions from travel, we’ve installed electric vehicle charging
points at our Sutton hospital and provided an inter-site shuttle bus from Sutton station, which is used by 178,000 people every year. “We’re developing a number of energy-efficient schemes,” says Sunil. “For example, we’ve replaced our old air conditioning units with new ones, which run on much more environmentally friendly gases. PV [solar] panels are being installed wherever possible, and all our lighting is being upgraded to LED.” Indirect emissions But emissions caused directly by our staff and buildings account for just a small portion of the Trust’s total carbon emissions. “Medical equipment, food and catering – our supply chain – all create a big carbon footprint,” says Sunil. “This is why I’m working with colleagues across the Trust to find ways to reduce our [indirect] emissions.” With total intravenous anaesthesia now making up 95 per cent of our anaesthetics usage, we’ve drastically reduced our emissions in this area, and our partnership with reuse marketplace Globechain is helping us to redistribute unneeded items. But far more needs to be done if we are to cut all our emissions – direct and indirect – to zero. “These are bold, ambitious targets,” says Sunil, “but we desperately need to do this. The health sector’s carbon footprint accounts for around five per cent of the UK’s emissions. We all have to work together to stop all this carbon being emitted.”
Our progress so far
Zero waste has gone to landfill since 2015
100% of our electricity has come from renewables since April 2021
33% reduction in our carbon emissions since 2009/10
178,000 people a year use our intersite shuttle bus at Sutton
95% of our anaesthetics is total intravenous anaesthesia
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Our green plan
Water and energy Our switch to 100 per cent renewable electricity last year will reduce our associated electricity emissions to zero. This year, we’ll: • install a CHP plant at our Chelsea site (following the one at Sutton in 2014) • switch to low-energy LED lights and install more solar panels across our sites • install sub-metering devices to measure and monitor our electricity and water usage, and develop and implement energy and water efficiency plans • require all our new buildings – including the forthcoming Oak Cancer Centre – to achieve an Excellent BREEAM rating (see right)
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Here are some of the steps we’re taking to reduce our carbon footprint and meet the NHS’s net-zero target
Transport Sustainable travel not only reduces carbon emissions, it also has health benefits for patients and staff. We’re supporting sustainable travel by: • installing electric vehicle charging points across our sites – adding a further two every year • converting our fleet and pool vehicles to fully electric by 2024 • updating our travel plan to improve access for patients, staff and visitors to both sites, and undertaking a staff travel survey every year • encouraging staff to cycle or walk to work through schemes such as a bicycle users’ group, free cycle maintenance sessions with Dr Bike, guided walks and a steps challenge
Digital transformation Our shift to remote care during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that we can successfully use existing digital technology and reduce our use of resources and associated carbon emissions. We’ll continue to: • support the move to digital appointments where possible, with the aim of halving patient travel • support flexible and remote working • train staff in the use of software such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams • increase the digitisation of services, such as electronic payslips, to reduce paper use
GREEN PLAN
Oak Cancer Centre to get the green light
Our supply chain The NHS supply chain accounts for nearly two-thirds of total carbon emissions and is a huge area of focus in our Green Plan. So we’ll: • sign up to NHS England’s plastics pledge to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics, cut down our paper use and switch to 100% recycled paper • implement a ‘repair and reuse’ plan for durable products, including donating IT equipment and reusing furniture • ensure at least £1 in every £3 of our spend is with SMEs and social enterprises • include water and gas consumption as part of a product’s whole-life cost when procuring goods
Medicines Anaesthetic gases and inhalers are the largest contributors to emissions from NHS medicines. Since 2019, the majority of anaesthesia we give is total intravenous anaesthesia, which significantly reduces our emissions. We’ll also: • require reports of carbon emissions from all our medical devices, equipment and pharmaceutical suppliers • identify high-carbon products and specify lower-carbon alternatives • encourage suppliers to adopt more sustainable packaging • reduce unnecessary prescribing and implement a plan for the waste management of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and anaesthetic gases
We’re on track to achieve an Excellent BREEAM rating for the Oak Cancer Centre, our new research and treatment facility that is under construction in Sutton. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world’s longest-established method of rating the sustainability of buildings. The building will be heated by connecting it to our existing CHP engine, and 200m 2 of mounted solar photovoltaic panels will generate around 32,000 kWh of energy every year. Energy-efficient LED lighting with daylight dimming controls will harvest natural daylight, and absence detectors will automatically turn off lighting when it is not needed. Further measures include a green roof to promote biodiversity and an infiltration system to capture and treat rainwater. We’re also working with Transport for London to reduce traffic emissions by rerouting bus services to the site, and we’ll continue to work to reduce associated emissions when it opens this year. RM
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A DAY IN T HE L IF E OF
MANUELA TROFOR M E D I C A L D AY U N I T M A T R O N
I’VE BEEN WORKING at The Royal Marsden for more than 14 years, after studying nursing back home in Romania. I’ve always been interested in healthcare and helping people, and I wanted to develop my oncology nursing skills in the UK. Being able to work and develop as an oncology nurse at The Royal Marsden has been an amazing experience. Everyone knows how world-leading the hospital is in cancer treatments, research and care for patients. I immediately felt at home at The Royal Marsden. The rotation programme gave me an opportunity to develop my nursing skills and knowledge, as well as to become familiar with all the different cancer
“The Royal Marsden is a special place... MDU is a lovely area to work in” 18 RM magazine
pathways, the hospital and the people who make it so special. Close-knit team I completed my master’s degree and worked my way up to Lead Sister, then Deputy Matron, before becoming Matron of Cancer Services, which includes the Medical Day Unit (MDU) in Chelsea. I now oversee a fantastic team of 20 nurses, five healthcare support workers and six administrative staff, who all work together to deliver chemotherapy and
A D AY I N T H E L I F E
administer other supportive treatments to patients every day. MDU is busy and complex. We deal with blood tests, prescribing clinics, patient review consultations and the chemotherapy pathway. It’s our job to ensure patients are treated quickly, safely and appropriately. We try to make sure the unit is welcoming for patients by providing refreshments and lots of emotional support. This has been particularly important with the visitor restrictions that have been brought in during the COVID-19 pandemic. My role consists of supporting the sisters on the unit and providing professional and clinical leadership for MDU, Ellis Ward and for the gastrointestinal and gynaecology clinical teams. I find the mentoring aspect and sharing knowledge and best practice with my team very rewarding. We’re lucky to have The Royal Marsden School and training opportunities available to us. Time for treatment My day will start with a team meeting at 8.30am to discuss which patients that day are ready
ALL IN A DAY’S WORK Manuela works closely with her team to provide a welcoming environment for patients
for chemotherapy and to identify any patients that may need an alternative treatment. We have introduced a number of new treatment pathways in MDU since the pandemic began, which means we can also carry out blood and iron infusions on the unit. We
will often see between 70 and 80 patients a day. They arrive from 9am and can be receiving treatment for any time from 30 minutes to up to eight hours. We work closely with colleagues in the pharmacy team, who see the patient to prescribe their treatment once their bloods have been taken. We also work with the patient’s clinical nurse specialist, their consultant and the rest of their medical team to make sure their individual needs are met. The Royal Marsden is a special place and patients definitely recognise that. MDU is a lovely area to work in. You get to know the patients who are coming in for treatment really well, as they’re often being treated with us for months or even years for all different types of cancer. I’m incredibly proud of my team. The standard of care and empathy for patients is outstanding. Everyone takes such pride in their role to make sure all of our patients are supported on their treatment journey, and receive the very best care at all times. RM RM magazine 19
A WORLD OF E X PERIENCE Thanks to our dedicated international nurse recruitment programme, The Royal Marsden attracts nursing staff from across the globe, who add their skills to our diverse workforce while developing their careers 20 RM magazine
I N T E R N AT I O N A L N U R S E S
WITH MORE THAN 27 million qualified nurses around the world, there is a wealth of experience that The Royal Marsden can draw on to support our patients’ care. In 2017, the Trust set up a team to develop an international nurse recruitment and retention programme to address the high rate of nursing vacancies, diversify the skills and experience of our workforce, and ensure that the nurses we employ remain with us. Having this dedicated team also means that ward managers avoid being tied up with recruitment, so they can focus on making sure our patients receive the best care. Led by a senior nurse, the team interviews and undertakes onboarding for applicants from countries all over the world, including the Philippines, India, South Korea and Lebanon. In addition, they support international staff who are already working at the Trust as healthcare assistants to become UK-qualified, and take up nursing positions in the hospital. Warm welcome “Our international nurses help to give us what we need to serve our diverse group of patients,” explains Helen Lavall, Nurse Recruitment and Retention Lead. “They are not newly qualified; these nurses come with so much experience and a set of skills we really require.” The international programme also provides vital pastoral and professional support by welcoming international recruits to the UK and to The Royal Marsden, and setting them up for a successful career. “Moving to a new country can be daunting, so we have designed a
“These nurses come with a set of skills we really require”
bespoke welcome service to ensure any international nurses joining The Royal Marsden feel welcomed, valued and supported,” Helen says. As well as practical advice on setting up life in the UK – such as opening a bank account and registering with a GP – the team also meets new arrivals at their accommodation with a welcome package of essential items and a comprehensive induction programme. The Trust assists with accommodation, covering the first month’s rent and providing a salary advance to help with the security deposit. We also help connect new arrivals to the previous cohort, creating a ‘cohesive support network’ for all international staff. Practical programme International nurses must complete an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) – a practical assessment that they must pass before they can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council – within eight months of arrival. So, at The Royal Marsden, they embark on a programme of study days to
HELPING HAND Ashley Oh (far left) moved from South Korea; Helen Lavall (above left), together with colleagues including Peta Hicks (right), provides pastoral and professional support
What international nurses say about working for The Royal Marsden “On day one, my practice educator showed me my pathway into critical care. If I want to pursue the course so that I can be promoted to Band 6, I can do that” Andrew Roilo, Staff Nurse, Critical Care Unit “In the Philippines, I worked as a surgical oncology nurse, but now I’ve got the opportunity to work in head and neck, and specialise in it” Rositha Tauscheck, Staff Nurse, Wilson Ward “I’ve had some patients who tell me that being away from my country and my family is a sacrifice. They make me feel very valued for coming here” Christine Ong, Staff Nurse, Theatres
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L N U R S E S
promoted to Senior Nurse. “It wouldn’t have been possible without help from the support and clinical teams,” he says.
give them the best chance of passing at the first opportunity. Mohamad Ibrahim moved to the UK from Lebanon in January 2021. His interest in oncology and his personal experience of family members having cancer meant that for him, “there was no better option than The Royal Marsden”. Mohamad has brought invaluable experience and skills that help him to care for international and British patients alike. “I can see the happiness and relief on some patients’ faces when I speak in Arabic,” he says. “They are already going through a challenging time,
“There was no better option than The Royal Marsden” 22 RM magazine
so someone speaking in their language can be very comforting.” Back in Beirut, Mohamad worked in public health, screening Syrian children who had fled to Lebanon as refugees. “This taught me a lot about working with vulnerable people and building connections with them,” he says. Although he was given extensive support from Helen and the team, adjusting to his new life hasn’t always been easy for Mohamad. Four days after he arrived, the COVID-19 lockdown began. “I came out of quarantine to a city in lockdown,” he recalls. “It was really challenging to adapt to this strange new reality while trying to find a flat and meet people.” Despite this, Mohamad has made friends through the programme, received training and even been
SPECIAL SKILLS Moving from Lebanon to the UK, Mohamad Ibrahim brought invaluable experience to his work
Chances to learn Ashley Oh moved to the UK from South Korea with her husband in March 2020 and joined The Royal Marsden in February 2021, starting as a healthcare assistant before completing the OSCE in August and becoming a registered nurse on Markus Ward. “The Trust provided lots of support, assigning a group of colleagues to study and practise with, and an educator who provided reading materials and directed our learning,” she says. Nursing in the UK is quite unlike in her home country, according to Ashley. “In Korea, I had to take care of 12 patients on my own,” she says. “We don’t focus on patients washing and eating; mostly their families come in and help them. Here, I get to focus more on daily living activities. It’s a good chance to learn and these activities help us bond more with the patients.” Both Ashley and Mohamad see their careers developing further at the Trust. “I definitely want to stay at The Royal Marsden,” Ashley says. “In the next year or two, I’ll enrol at the school to do a master’s and broaden my knowledge about patients and cancer.” Meanwhile, Mohamad is considering whether to pursue a clinical career path or continue learning management skills. “There are so many opportunities at The Royal Marsden,” he says. “I have no doubt that whatever route I take will be here.” RM
Want to know more? Visit royalmarsden.nhs.uk/ working-royal-marsden or email careers@rmh.nhs.uk to learn more about nursing careers at the Trust
IT HAPPENED TO ME
I WAS GIVEN TWO YEARS TO LIVE. NOW I’M IN REMISSION, I WANT TO USE MY EXPERIENCES TO HELP OTHERS Fran Whitfield, 27, breast cancer patient
only live until I was 27. Cancer does not discriminate against age or lifestyle, but I wanted to do everything I could to fight it. After my brain surgery, I was referred to The Royal Marsden and introduced to Professor Ian Smith, who restored all the hope I needed. This was the first time I’d heard the ‘cure’ word mentioned. I suddenly felt safe and no longer alone. I went on to start chemotherapy the day after my 26th birthday. After six months of chemotherapy, I had radiotherapy – including targeted CyberKnife treatment – to make sure any remaining cancer cells in my brain were blasted away. I was put on to a targeted therapy drug called abemaciclib to try to block the breast cancer and stop it from
“Cancer does not discriminate by age, but I refused to accept I’d only live until I was 27”
I FOUND A lump in my breast when I was 24, but doctors thought it was just a harmless hormonal lump that didn’t need further investigation. Fast forward to July 2020, when I noticed some dimpling of the skin and went to get it checked out again. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and it felt like everything crashed around me. This
news came shortly after I’d gone through emergency spinal surgery in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic after rupturing a disc in my lower spine. Further scans showed something suspicious in my brain, and doctors discovered another tumour – a metastasis from my breast cancer. I was given a life expectancy of two years, but I refused to accept that I would
growing, in addition to tamoxifen treatment. My cancer is fed by oestrogen, so I also have monthly injections to stop this hormone being produced in my body. I dreamed of the day I would get a clear scan, but never thought it would come so soon. In September, just a year after coming to The Royal Marsden, I was given the news that I was in remission. My scans showed no evidence of disease – I couldn’t believe it. I’ve since qualified as a Cancer Exercise Specialist and can’t wait to use my own experiences to help others. Cancer is complicated: I may still need surgery and am still on treatment, but I have an amazing hospital team around me. I’m so grateful to be where I am now. RM
Professor Ian Smith
Consultant Medical Oncologist “When Fran first came to see me, she was understandably anxious following a pessimistic diagnosis at a young age, but she has been an inspiration to the team looking after her. “We have been pioneering a new approach, in which we intensively treat a single small metastasis (oligometastasis) with standard endocrine therapy alongside targeted therapy and radiotherapy. It has gone so well that Fran is now in remission. “Her treatment is shared by the radiotherapy, breast and surgical departments, with her clinical nurse specialist providing massive support. We all wish her continuing success.”
RM magazine 23
A BE T TER OUTLOOK Our Neuro-oncology Unit is treating more patients than ever before and offers a range of clinical trials, pioneering radiation treatment and advanced imaging techniques ADVANCES IN IMMUNOTHERAPY and other targeted treatments in the past decade have hugely improved the long-term survival prospects for patients with cancers that can spread to the brain, including breast, melanoma and lung cancers. The Royal Marsden’s Neurooncology Unit is treating more and more patients who experience secondary disease in the brain – known as brain metastases – with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). We are the referral centre for 15 NHS trusts in southwest London and the southeast of England, so six in 10 of our patients come from other trusts. Our two CyberKnife machines, funded by The Royal Marsden 24 RM magazine
Cancer Charity, have been pivotal in delivering SRS treatment. With one CyberKnife in Chelsea and another in Sutton, we are now one of the largest SRS services in the country, treating 400 patients a year. Living longer Dr Nicola Rosenfelder, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, explains that patients are living longer with cancer, so more are developing brain metastases – and greater access to MRI scanning means more are diagnosed earlier. “Important advances in treatment precision enable us to use higher radiation doses in fewer sessions to deliver more effective treatment with few or no side effects, allowing
NEURO-ONCOLOGY
A PATIENT’S PERSPECTIVE Darrell McDonald, 41
to use Brainlab technology for patients undergoing MRI scans to help us identify precisely how radiotherapy is affecting the brain.
NEURO TEAM Dr Nicola Rosenfelder (above) and Dr Liam Welsh (below left); CyberKnife is central to our brain cancer treatment programme (above left)
patients to get back to living normal lives quickly,” she says. “Just a few years ago, the life expectancy for patients with brain metastases would have been a few months and the treatment had significant side effects. With these improvements, survival can now be measured in years, with excellent quality of life. “SRS is so precise that we can safely treat many small metastases in one session and can also repeat treatments if needed.” The unit’s work in treating primary tumours has also expanded. There is a focus on increasing the number of clinical trials and establishing a brain tumour biobank to enhance research into new treatments. We were also the first trust in the UK
“We now measure survival of brain metastases in years, not months”
Centre of excellence This breadth of treatment options and collaborative work helped us to secure the Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence status last year, in partnership with St George’s University Hospital and Royal Surrey County Hospital. We were one of only nine centres in the UK to receive this recognition. Dr Liam Welsh, Head of the Neuro-oncology Unit, says: “For patients with tumours such as glioblastoma, the risk of recurrence in the first year is common. We now routinely use molecular profiling to see if there is a suitable targeted treatment available on one of our clinical trials.” Consultant Medical Oncologist Dr Juanita Lopez has been instrumental in recruiting patients to early-phase trials, including the trial of the drug lisavanbulin in the Oak Foundation Drug Development Unit, which could lead to the firstever targeted brain cancer treatment. “We were the lead recruiter for glioblastoma patients with FGFR mutations in the RAGNAR study of the drug erdafitinib, and we are opening the INDIGO trial of vorasidenib, which could transform treatment for patients with IDH mutations,” adds Dr Welsh. “We also have another trial due to open for newly diagnosed glioma patients that could replace first-line chemotherapy treatment for these patients in the future.” RM
“In June 2020, I was diagnosed with a sarcoma in my neck, which had spread to my lungs. After having chemotherapy, I started experiencing some clumsiness and was given a brain MRI, which confirmed I also had a couple of metastases in my brain. “I was referred to Dr Nicola Rosenfelder, who explained that I would need radiosurgery using the CyberKnife. It was possibly the most straightforward of all my cancer treatments and I had a great response. “When the symptoms came back much worse at Christmas, I had whole-brain radiotherapy and again had a good response. I am now starting chemotherapy for my primary tumour. “I know my cancer is incurable, but I have the mindset that if I keep going as I am, there may well be a breakthrough for me.”
RM magazine 25
Businesses step up
WE’LL MARCH AGAIN... THE BANHAM MARSDEN MARCH 2022 promises to be a fantastic event, with thousands of walkers coming together on 22 May to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. As well as the 15-mile route between the hospital’s Chelsea and Sutton sites, there will, as always, be a five-mile option. The Banham Marsden March at Home virtual alternative, which was such a success in 2021, is back, too. We’re also thrilled to announce that our incredible event sponsor, Banham, has extended our partnership to 2025, and will be the title sponsor for both in-person and virtual events. Charles Hallatt, Banham’s Executive Chairman, said: “We are very proud to be
“I would never miss this uplifting event” 26 RM magazine
confirmed as title sponsor for another three years. After the challenging circumstances we have all faced recently, we are looking forward to reuniting in person and recreating that fantastic atmosphere The Banham Marsden March is known for.” Among those walking will be Laura Parker, who was treated at The Royal Marsden for cervical cancer in 2008 and has completed every Banham Marsden March since. She said: “I would never miss this uplifting event – last year, I even did it from home, which is now northern Italy. I’m going to carry on marching to help raise vital funds for The Royal Marsden towards its fantastic research work and treatment.”
Want to know more? Visit royalmarsden.org/march to sign up now!
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has support from a number of corporate partners who are helping to make a vital difference in funding our work. New supporters include Barclays, which donated £100,000 as part of its COVID-19 Community Relief Fund to help to fund staff psychological support services at the hospital. An exciting partnership with Marks & Spencer is launching this spring. From 6 March, order the new sun-flowering brick and bunch of tulips bundle at marksandspencer.com and £5 of proceeds will support the construction of our Oak Cancer Centre. Nectar Donate has also chosen us as one of its beneficiary charities. This new scheme lets customers donate their Nectar reward points to us to be then converted into funds. Charlotte Leonard, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Charity, said: “A huge thank you to our corporate partners for their generosity. Thanks to their support, we’re able to keep making a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer.”
Want to know more? For details about becoming a corporate partner, head to royalmarsden.org/corporate
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
Lights of remembrance
An oar-some trio
THE EVER AFTER GARDEN returned to Grosvenor Square in December with thousands of white roses illuminated in memory of loved ones to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, raising over £150,000. The garden was inspired by the memory of the late production designer and art director Michael Howells, whose work included the film Ever After. His friends, Charity Trustee and designer Anya Hindmarch and fashion creative Camilla Morton, wanted to create somewhere beautiful for everyone to remember those no longer with us.
Antonia Dalmahoy, Managing Director of the Charity, said: “We are so grateful for the support of Anya Hindmarch and Camilla Morton, along with founding partner Grosvenor Britain & Ireland and principal partner Claridge’s and The Connaught. “Thanks also to our event partners Culture Creative, Dior, Finchatton and Twenty Grosvenor Square and The Mayor of London’s Let’s Do London campaign.”
Want to know more? See royalmarsden.org/ever-after-garden
Star struck LAST DECEMBER SAW our most successful Celebrate a Life ever, with our carol services held in person for the first time since 2019. The event raised over £120,000, with more than 3,000 stars – each with the name of someone special handwritten in the centre – decorating the trees outside our hospitals. Nikki Coleman dedicated a star to her daughter Zoe, who was treated at The Royal Marsden for Hodgkin lymphoma when she was 14. She said: “Zoe is 10 years cancer-free. We wanted to mark this with a star on the tree outside the hospital that saved her life.”
Three intrepid women spent the festive period breaking the world record for the fastest female trio to row across the Atlantic, in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Charlotte Irving, Abby Johnston and Kat Cordiner (above), who has cervical cancer, took on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in an attempt to beat the record of 49 days while raising money for the Charity, as well as Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK. Team ExtraOARdinary rowed 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua in an incredible 42 days. Charlotte, daughter of Royal Marsden Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Colm Irving, said: “We trained really hard for this and were really looking forward to getting out there and completing this challenge. It was tough, but we were determined. “We have all been touched by cancer – Kat was diagnosed in 2019 and I have grown up listening to my dad talk about the amazing work of the hospital – so it is a privilege to do something to help support it.”
Contact The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Telephone 020 7808 2233 Email charity@royalmarsden.org Visit royalmarsden.org Registered Charity No. 1095197 RM magazine 27
SOFTWARE SOLUTION Professor Dow-Mu Koh (left) and Dr Matthew Blackledge (below)
AN IMAGE OF THE FUTURE Artificial intelligence could help us to assess scans of patients with bone disease, thanks to an innovative software toolkit developed at the BRC BONE DISEASE HAS a complex relationship with cancer. Some cancers, such as breast and prostate, can spread to the bones, which is known as metastatic bone disease. Also, bone disease is a complication of other cancers, including multiple myeloma.
28 RM magazine
Doctors typically keep track of bone disease and how it responds to treatment using CT and bone scans. However, these can be less reliable than some more complex techniques, such as whole-body MRI scanning (WB-MRI). WB-MRI scans can produce more than 1,000 images, which are extremely time-consuming for a radiologist to read and report. To improve the efficiency of WB-MRI, Professor Dow-Mu Koh, Consultant Radiologist at The Royal Marsden, and Dr Matthew Blackledge, Team Leader of the Computational Imaging Team at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, have developed a software toolkit that automatically processes these images. Developed in
partnership with Mint Medical, the toolkit uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect regions of disease in MRI scans by tracking changes in the random motion of water molecules in bone tissue, which can differentiate between healthy and abnormal areas. Through this technique, the software rapidly highlights regions of disease in the images and produces a detailed report. It has been tested in an early trial and has shown to be reliable and accurate in assessing the extent of bone disease in prostate cancer patients. Dr Blackledge says: “Each body responds differently to cancer treatment. If we can measure specific regions of disease that are not responding to treatment earlier, then this gives us a window of opportunity to do something.” In early 2021, the team was awarded almost £2 million in funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Invention for Innovation (i4i) Challenge programme to test the software in two large multi-centre clinical trials, involving patients with bone disease from prostate cancer and myeloma. Professor Koh says: “It is important that we continue to improve and develop new ways of tracking and treating cancer. We are grateful for the i4i funding so that we can continue to investigate our toolkit.” This project forms part of The Royal Marsden’s AI Imaging Hub, which investigates digital solutions to enhance our understanding of cancer and improve patient outcomes. 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
F O U N DAT I O N N E W S
Dates for your diary Council of Governors meeting 16 March, 11am-1pm
WANT TO BECOME A GOVERNOR? Stand for election as a Governor and help shape the direction of the Trust THIS SPRING, THE TRUST is holding the 2022 elections for the Council of Governors, who play an important role in our governance framework. If you are interested in the work of the Trust and would like to be more involved, then this is a great opportunity to do so. By attending quarterly Council of Governors meetings and the Annual General Meeting, Governors become aware of and discuss key issues as well as the strategic direction of the organisation, while representing the views of their members. Governors also contribute and add value by joining various working groups and committees.
“I have loved every minute of it. I have enjoyed working with all the teams and the Board”
You do not need any specific qualifications, as all successful candidates will be provided with relevant training, development and support to carry out the role. Patient Governor Maggie Harkness will be standing down at the end of her final term of office, having served three terms. She said: “I became a Governor as I wanted to make a difference, using my professional experience as a retired nurse and my experience gained from being a patient to help make it better for others. “I have loved every minute of it. I have enjoyed working with all the teams and the Board, which is very driven and enthusiastic. “It has been wonderful to have been a part of this renowned establishment and I would highly encourage people to consider standing.” The nomination deadline is 28 March. So if you or someone you know is interested, please get in touch.
Board of Directors meeting 30 March, 10.30am-12.30pm Council of Governors meeting 12 July, 11am-1pm GOOD TERMS Maggie Harkness chats to members
Vacant seats in 2022 Patient Governors • Kensington & Chelsea and Sutton & Merton: three vacancies • Elsewhere in London: one vacancy • Elsewhere in England: one vacancy • Carer: two vacancies Public Governors • Sutton & Merton: one vacancy • Elsewhere in England: one vacancy Staff Governors • Clinical Professionals: one vacancy • Doctor: one vacancy • Nurse: one vacancy
Want to know more? To stand as a candidate in the elections or to find out more, visit royalmarsden.nhs.uk/becomegovernor or contact Rebecca Hudson, Membership Manager, on 020 7808 2844 or email rebecca.hudson@rmh.nhs.uk
To attend any of these online meetings, email corporate. governance@ rmh.nhs.uk
Keep in touch Call 020 7808 2844 or email trust. foundation@rmh. nhs.uk. Contact your Governor by email at governors@ rmh.nhs.uk
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 The lucky winner of our prize crossword will receive a £50 John Lewis & Partners gift card. 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 19 May 2022. See below for prize draw rules. Winter 2021 crossword solution Across 1 Buses 4 Sabre 6 Armenia 8 Bait 9 Eager 12 Needy 13 Slav 15 Declare 17 Pepys 18 Banks Down 1 Backboned 2 Seaside 3 Saab 4 Samuel 5 Ben 7 Aardvarks 10 Galleon 11 Bypass 14 Kerb 16 Cap Congratulations to Carole Sterckx, the winner of the winter 2021 issue’s crossword prize. 1
2
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15 z
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SPRING 2022 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
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30 RM magazine
THE TEAM
Try the fiendishly tricky numbers puzzle – it’s just for fun
FOR THE ROYAL MARSDEN
1 3 7 9 3 7 5 8 5 8 9 1 5 7 5 9 6 1 2 8 4 3 4 2 7 6 5 7 6 2
CROSSWORD CLUES
5
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8
SUDOKU
Across 1 Donkeys (5) 4 Famous racecourse (5) 6 Stretchy material (7) 8 Not expensive (5) 9 Sign up for an organisation (5) 11 Necessary for eating (5) 13 Corrosive substances (5) 14 Shellfish (7) 16 Award for bravery (5) 17 Makes a little better (5)
Down 1 Gives up the throne (9) 2 A native of Thailand (7) 3 Clean a chimney (5) 4 Type of stone (5) 5 Domestic pet (3) 7 Outdoor stadiums or arenas (9) 10 Disastrous and devastating (7) 12 Meat prepared according to Islamic law (5) 13 Fruit (5) 15 Help (3)
Rachael Reeve Director of Marketing and Communications Abby Samuel Head of PR and Communications Catherine O’Mara Senior PR and Communications Manager Francesca Vitale Senior PR and Communications Officer Georgia Tilley Senior PR and Communications Officer Emma Dowse Senior Case Studies Officer Orla Anandarajah PR and Communications Assistant
FOR SUNDAY Marc Grainger Editor Robert Hearn Senior Creative Nina Whitley-Jones Designer Samantha Robinson Chief Sub-Editor Justine Conway Sub-Editor Emma Franklin Group Account Director Richard Robinson Content Director Sam Walker Creative Director Toby Smeeton Managing Director
PRIZE DRAW TERMS AND CONDITIONS
RM magazine is published by The Royal Marsden in partnership with Sunday: wearesunday.com
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 19 May 2022. 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.
© The Royal Marsden 2022. 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.
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.
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
vicky unwin @vickyunwin Unflattering selfie outside #royalmarsden [right] to celebrate 8 years clear and only two to go until #cancerfree #softtissuesarcoma wonderful #nhs on time in & out with xray in 40 mins #healthylivingwithcancer Nicola Manchester @NicolaManchest1 Thank you for giving my (late) Mum the very best care imaginable many years ago – it enabled us to spend more Christmases together as a family than would have been possible otherwise. Will always be grateful to everyone who makes the Marsden the wonderful place it is.
Facebook Tony Perren Well well! I’ve just had a full roast pork dinner, not bad for someone who had a full oesophagectomy this time last year!! Cheers Mr Kumar and the team at The Royal Marsden for making this happen.
Cockles And Heart @cocklesandheart It’s four years today that the amazing medics @royalmarsden saved my life. I don’t talk about what happened much but every so often it’s worth saying… there can be life beyond serious cancer. And for me, out of adversity came lots of good including Cockles and Heart. So thank you everyone at the Marsden... you are amazing
for people with cancer & for people to remember their loved ones lost to the disease. The best Christmas lights [above]
Amanda Palmer @bobsfanclub Earlier this week’s visit to the Ever After Garden, a lovely thing, raising funds for @royalmarsden to help them achieve more breakthroughs
Peter Mcdonagh @petermcdonaghboxer It’s magic – I’ve been under cyber knife at @royalmarsden Sutton thanks for amazing bit of kit
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 friendsroyalmarsden @gmail.com
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
VISIT US ONLINE royalmarsden.org Registered Charity No. 1095197
020 7352 3875
VISIT US ONLINE formc.uk Registered Charity No. 222613
Look out for the summer 2022 issue of RM – coming June 2022 RM magazine 31
Write your Will for free
Registered Charity No. 1095197
Give back to the future
Writing or updating your Will can feel like a big decision, which is why The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has a simple and free service that can help you. We hope that once you have included your loved ones, you’ll be inspired to leave us a gift in your Will – although there is no obligation to do so. Your gift can help fund our life-saving research that will make a vital difference to cancer patients long into the future.
To sign up visit royalmarsden.org/freewill or call 020 7808 2233