Royal Surrey to expand cancer care for children | News

Young cancer patients and their families will soon be able to receive more of their treatment closer to home, as Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust is set to become an enhanced Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit (POSCU).

Children and young people up to the age of 19 who are diagnosed with cancer have their care planned and coordinated by a specialist Principal Treatment Centre (PTC) in London.

However, many aspects of treatment can be safely delivered closer to home through shared care services, reducing the need for frequent travel and time away from family and school.

Royal Surrey already provides a range of paediatric oncology shared care services. Achieving enhanced POSCU status will allow the Trust to significantly expand this provision, offering increased supportive care alongside chemotherapy and targeted therapy treatments delivered locally for our youngest patients.

Our team is also working in close partnership across the Group Model with colleagues at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals, who are similarly developing an enhanced POSCU service.

Sarah Etherington, the Trust’s Associate Director of Nursing for Oncology, said: “When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, it is an incredibly difficult and emotional time for the whole family. For many patients in our region, regular travel to London for specialist care can add further pressure.

“Through this enhanced service, more care can be provided closer to home, with Royal Surrey working in close partnership with the Principal Treatment Centre to ensure young patients continue to receive the specialist‑led care and support they need.”