Spire Murrayfield Hospital in Edinburgh officially opened the Oncology Day Chemotherapy Centre in April 2009.
Exemplary clinical care goes hand in hand with the need to consider your psychological and social wellbeing
Our unit
The unit comprises four treatment pods, with chemotherapy couches in each area, and wooden panel walls, which can be used to separate each pod to offer our patients individual privacy. This informal, open plan space has been designed to help make your experience as relaxing as possible with emphasis on individually tailored care.
Your Treatment
You may receive all elements of your oncology care within the unit, from chemotherapy to supportive therapies and follow-up care. As such, you may be asked to attend the unit for up to 8 hours per session. With this in mind, we have designed the centre to make your stay as comfortable as possible - the seating area provides a welcome opportunity to watch television and DVDs, and you can also browse the internet or simply read with a cup of tea or coffee.
Support & Advice
We think that one of the most important parts of cancer care is providing you with the latest information on cancer treatment and the disease. With this in mind, we have installed an innovative web-based information system for cancer patients in the centre called MI HEALTH for your convenience.
A 24/7 emergency phone line is also available for you, your carers and your GP. This on-call line will be staffed by experienced cancer nurses who are familiar your cancer treatment history and can offer expert advice should you need it.
The unit works closely with the Edinburgh Cancer Centre at the Western General Hospital and is involved in the local cancer network. This ensures standards of care are always based on the most current national guidance.
Exemplary clinical care goes hand in hand with the need to consider your psychological and social wellbeing. Through establishing links with Maggie’s Centre in Edinburgh, we will be able to offer a wide range of supportive care options for both your and your family.
Your referral journey
- If you experience untoward symptoms, contact your GP
- Your GP can refer you to one of our hospital Consultants
- Your Consultant will carry out a series of investigations to identify the cause of your symptoms, and may include physical examination, blood tests and biopsies
- If cancer is detected, you will be referred to one of our Oncologists
- Your Oncologist will then refer you for treatment at the unit (if appropriate), which may include one or a combination of Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy or surgery
Scalp Cooling
Spire Murrayfield Hospital is the only private hospital in the East of Scotland to offer scalp cooling.
Hair loss, or alopecia, is a known side effect of some chemotherapy drugs. Scalp cooling can be used in certain circumstances to prevent or ease hair loss during treatment. It involves the use of a refrigerated scalp cooling system, which is applied to the head during chemotherapy and works by reducing the amount of blood flow to the scalp, therefore reducing the quantity of chemotherapy that reaches the hair follicles, preventing hair loss.
Funding treatment
Most medical insurers will cover the cost of treatment, however, if you don’t have private medical insurance, you can self-fund your treatment. Pre-authorisation from your insurer is necessary prior to treatment being commenced.
For more information on the Oncology Day Chemotherapy Centre, contact 0131 316 2568.