I was wondering if anyone is having their rads at Parkside Oncology Clinic,Wimbledon and if so,what they thought of it.
I’m having my chemo at the Royal Marsden Unit,at Kingston and don’t know as yet where my rads will be,I’m assuming Sutton or Fulham,but as I’ll have to use public transport Parkside would be easier.I’ve already attended a LGFB day there and it seemed fairly straight-forward to get to.
Also,do I have any say anyway in where I want to go?
Many thanks,
Helen x
I think Parkside is private, and therefore you could ask to be referred there if you can pay, or if you have private health insurance. But if I had the choice I would go to the Marsden because they have such an excellent reputation.
Deirdre
Hi there! Parkside is private,are you both in that area? i work in Wimbledon, but live in Sutton, 10 mins drive from the Marsden, Helen I know Kingston quite well too! love Debs xxx
Hi Debs and Deirdre
Didn’t realise it was private,guess that rules that out then.I was neutrapenic a couple of weeks ago and ended up at the Marsden,Sutton,I’ve no problem with the hospital it’s just getting there by public transport.I live near Esher and if I went to Fulham I think I could get a train to Wimbledon then tube/bus.
Are either of you having treatment at the mo?
Love Helen x
Hi Helen, I have my appt next Tues with onc to discuss my chemo, hopefully it will start soon, although not looking forward to it I just want to get it over with!! From Wimbledon you can get a train to sutton, then either short cab or bus ride. Or from Esher could you get to epsom then Sutton?
love Debs x
Hi Helen and Debs - I live near Esher too! I go to the Marsden in Sutton. It takes about half an hour in the car. Are you able to get hospital transport to take you there?
The Marsden in Fulham is an hour in the car, but you can get there on the tube from Wimbledon quite easily. But I found I got really tired at the end of my radiotherapy and don’t think I would have welcomed a tube and train journey on top of the treatments.
I have heard that the William Rouse unit at Kingston hospital is very good. It’s all brand new and it is staffed, I believe, by staff from the Marsden. I don’t think much of the rest of the hospital - my mum had her treatment there back in 2002 and the wards were overcrowded and the staff not that caring. My experiences at the Marsden Sutton are much better. I have been admitted there three times for infections while on chemo and they have been brilliant.
At the time of my mum’s treatment there was no radiotherapy at Kingston so she went to Charing Cross instead. They were really efficient and it was quite easy to get here on the tube from Wimbledon.
You could also think about going to the Royal Surrey in Kingston. That’s where I had my radiotherapy (and the majority of my treatment, before being diagnosed with secondaries). They were pretty good and it’s not too far to walk from the station.
Deirdre
Maybe we should have an Esher meet! i live in Sutton but drive so its not that far! love debs xx
Hi Debs & Deirdre,
Thanks for all the useful info,I’m gonna try not to worry myself about it,you’ll think I’m being daft anyway as I’ve still got 3 more chemos,then surgery before I start on rads, but you know what it’s like when you lie awake in the wee,small hours,your mind works overtime…it’s probably a control thing too,I like to be organised and know what I should be doing,so much of this illness is outside of our control.
Deirdre,you’re right about the William Rous unit,that’s where I’ve been having treatment along with my chemo on the 1st floor there, which is part of the Royal Marsden.
Don’t think I’d be eligible for hospital transport,but I will mention it.
Would be happy to meet up if you fancy it.
Debs,I’ve sent you a pm
Love Helen xx