Services and facilities

The Spire Specialist Care Centre offers systemic anti-cancer therapy, (chemotherapy, immunotherapy and biological therapies), and supportive treatments. Consultants and oncologists run their clinics from the new centre. If you require radiotherapy we have links to private and NHS radiotherapy providers and will assist with arranging treatment. 

We also provide that all-important personal element at what can be, for obvious reasons, a difficult and challenging time. In recognition of this we have been awarded the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark.

In meeting the MQEM standards, we have demonstrated that users of our environment will find it:

• Welcoming and accessible to all

• Respectful of people’s privacy and dignity

• Supportive to users’ comfort and well-being

• Offering choice and control to people using the service

And we listen to you, the voice of the user, to ensure we are meeting your needs and assisting with any concerns you may have.

At Spire Parkway we provide treatment for a wide range of common cancers including:

•  Bowel
•  Breast
•  Brain
•  Gastric cancers
•  Gynaecology
•  Head and neck
•  Haematological cancers
•  Lung
•  Ovarian
•  Pancreatic
•  Prostate/Urology
•  Skin
•  Testicular

Spire Parkway, part of the BUPA survivorship programme

At Spire Parkway Hospital we pride ourselves on providing a compassionate cancer service ensuring rapid diagnosis and referral to any required treatment, which ensures you receive the best possible care and treatment in a timely manner. We have a support network for you that will include regular communication with your GP and other community care services if required. This may include referral to local Macmillan nurses, complementary therapists or palliative care services.

Our multidisciplinary cancer service team works closely together to provide a holistic approach to your care. We aim to offer flexible appointments which can often be helpful for parents of younger children or those who continue to work throughout the delivery of their treatment. It is our aim to provide individual care specific to the identified needs of our patients.

We encourage patients to get to know each member of the team as this can be reassuring if you have to call for support and advice.The team includes:

• Consultant oncologists
• Chemotherapy trained nurses
• Clinical oncology pharmacist
• Dietician
• Specialist pathologists and micro-biologists
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapist
• Complementary therapist
• Clinical psychologist

Our specialist nurses cover:

• Breast cancer care
• Colorectal cancer care
• Lymphoedema care

The specialist care centre has been developed with the aim of providing a safe, caring and comfortable environment for you. We have 6 dedicated treatment pods for the administration of systematic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) and supportive medications. Our team of consultant oncologists have access to two spacious consulting rooms. You will have access to your own pod which includes use of an I Pad for watching films or using the internet, as well as access to a telephone.

You are encouraged to have family or friends accompany you during your time in the centre which can often be of benefit in helping you to relax. We can also arrange for children to come and visit the department to see it’s not a scary place to be. You also have an opportunity to relax in calm, surroundings and when the weather is nice, you and your guests can get some fresh air and sit in our pergola.

Food and Drink

Our chefs provide a first class service with award winning food. We have a number of food options available for you and your guests, including hot and cold drinks, soups, sandwiches and jacket potatoes. We can also cater for special dietary requirements.

Diagnostic imaging

Patients often undergo a variety of investigations prior to a diagnosis of cancer that may require to be repeated throughout the treatment. We have a wide range of diagnostic services available and use some of the most advanced techniques and state of the art equipment including; CT, MRI, ultrasound and mammography.

Oncology Pharmacists

Spire Parkway Hospital has an onsite pharmacy department with oncology pharmacists who are able to make their own chemotherapy on site. Close communication with the oncology team on a daily basis provides seamless care for you, combined with counselling and support services regarding drug therapy.

Not everyone treated for cancer will be affected by symptoms and side effects caused by either the disease or the treatment prescribed. Some people however may experience one or a number of symptoms.

Symptoms such as pain and fatigue can be both physical and emotional and at Spire Parkway Hospital we aim to care for and support the individual with difficult symptoms through supportive care, physical, emotional and psychological support.

Some common symptoms and/or side effects of cancer include:

• Anaemia
• Anxiety
• Bleeding
• Changes in bowel habit
• Chest pain or discomfort, including coughing and breathlessness
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Pain
• Sleeplessness
• Weight loss

Some common side effects of chemotherapy treatment for cancer include:

• Constipation
• Dehydration
• Diarrhoea
• Fatigue
• Affected or reduced fertility
• Hair loss
• Increased risk of infection
• Nausea and vomiting
• Painful and ulcerated gums
• Shortness of breath
• Sore mouth
• Swelling in hands and feet

The approach to symptom control and pain management will differ for every patient, though may include the use of prescribed pain killers and recommended further treatment to support your ongoing recuperation with our Parkway Living Survivorship Programme.

The programme includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy support, counselling, complementary therapy treatments and dietician advice.* 

additional services may incur further charges, please speak to our support team for more information.

The Spire Parkway Lymphoedema service operates in the Cancer Services Division, providing a comprehensive service including risk reduction advice, assessment, diagnosis, conservative treatment and management of cancer related lymphoedema.

The service is clinically led by a lymphoedema specialist nurse and supported by a physiotherapist with specialist interest in lymphoedema. Every person with lymphoedema is different and therefore a treatment plan will be decided after initial assessment of your individual needs.The swelling caused by lymphoedema is usually mild and can be managed easily. You are shown how to best manage and control the swelling. Sometimes the lymphoedema requires intensive treatment for a short period of time, treatment may include:

• Medication review
• Advice on skin care to prevent infection
• Advice on exercise to promote limb function and lymph drainage
• Measurement for compression hosieryor bandaging to reduce and control swelling
• Medical lymphatic drainage massage – when appropriate
• Medical taping
• Discussion about surgical options (lymph node transfer)

Treatment at Spire Parkway Hospital conforms to the internationally established conservative management of lymphoedema. The focus of treatment is on reducing swelling, improving the skin and tissue changes, controlling swelling, teaching and empowering you to control and manage your lifelong condition.

Lymph Node Treatments

At Spire Parkway Hospital, we can offer lymph node transfer surgery, which is a relatively new and exciting option for the management of lymphoedema.

Spire Parkway Hospital has several prominent haemato-oncologists that treat the following conditions:

• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Myeloma
• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
• Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome
• Myeloproliferative Disorders
• Other lymphoproliferative disorders (e.g.Waldenstrom’s macroglubulinaemia, hairycell leukaemia)
• Pre and post treatment and support for patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

We offer a prompt service and will endeavour to see all urgent new referrals on the sameday or within 24 hours; and promise to keep you informed about treatment options, side effects and outcome of treatment. From initial assessment, diagnosis to treatment and follow up we are able to provide comprehensive care for patients with haematological malignancies.

Just because your treatment has finished, doesn’t mean you are left to find your own way. We have a number of experts on hand to support your ongoing recuperation with our Parkway Living Survivorship Programme. Our additional survivorship programme services* include:

• Physiotherapy assessment - this assessment enables our physiotherapist to determine, what, if any, further treatment you could benefit from, this could include joining our Pilates class, an individually tailored exercise programme or you could be recommended for acupuncture treatment, which may help with pain management, boost energy levels and enhance the immune system
• Occupational therapy – our occupational therapists can support you with daily living arrangements by making suggestions to adjust everyday activities, therefore improving your comfort and ability to get back to everyday life
• Clinical psychologist – sometimes you just need someone to talk to, to off-load worries, to help with anxieties, body image concerns, pain and fatigue issues you may have. It’s important to not only to recover physically, but mentally as well, and following an initial assessment our psychologist can offer further advice and support based on your individual needs
• Complementary therapy – some therapies aim to relax you and improve your overall wellbeing, others may help you to cope with the symptoms of cancer or the side effects of treatment. Therapeutic treatments such as aromatherapy massage, Indian head massage, reflexology and Reiki are on offer to help you relax, improve circulation and overall wellbeing of the body and mind
• Dietician – helping you to understand how to eat well and dispel any diet myths.

* additional services may incur further charges; please speak to our support team for more information.

Assisting with discharge and planning for the future

Once treatment has been completed, our support team are on hand to provide you with options for further treatments. If you require radiotherapy we have links to private and NHS radiotherapy providers and will assist with arranging treatment. We also provide access to oncoplastic surgeons for those wanting reconstructive surgery. When being discharged from hospital our nursing team will liaise with your consultant, GP and relevant community based staff to ensure that the discharge process is appropriate to each individual.

Even after you have left hospital, we’re still here to help you every step of the way. We’ll send you home with all the medication, advice and follow-up support needed to help you get back on the road to good health. Our ongoing support means if you have any concerns, you can come back and speak to us.