Frequently asked questions: helpful information when you have been diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer 

What is this information about?

This information includes practical advice and answers to commonly asked questions. It includes information about:

• having surgery and staying in the hospital
• parking at the hospital
• having chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment
• who will be looking after you
• a list of useful phone numbers if you need any further help or advice. This is at the end.

Why have I been given this information?

You may already have been given a lot of information and leaflets to read.  Please do not feel you have to read them all now if you are not ready.  

This information has been designed so that you can refer to it quickly to find help, or to remind yourself of something you may have forgotten. Please keep it in a handy place so that you can refer to it when you need to.

What is my diagnosis?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

What if I need to talk to someone?

A member of the team will contact you after your appointment with the consultants. This is so that we carry out a Holistic Needs Assessment, you will find a form about this in your pack. You can talk to us about any needs, worries or problems that you have.  

You will find a list of phone numbers at the bottom of this information. Please call and talk to us if you need to. We understand that this can be an overwhelming time.

Who will I meet?

This is the team that you will see face to face:  

• Surgeons: Mr Peter Larsen-Disney, Ms Sonali Kaushik, Mr Florian Drews, Ms Sarah Baron
• Clinical Nurse Specialists, or CNS team: Caroline, Charlie, Claire, Sam
• Support Worker: Kim

How long will it be until I have surgery?

The current waiting time for surgery is about _________  weeks.

What will happen before I have surgery?

You will be contacted two weeks before your surgery with a date for the operation. 

You will also be informed of a date for the pre-operative assessment (also called a pre-op) about one week before. This will take place on Level 11. During your pre-op, the ward nurse or junior doctors will take blood samples and observations (for example, measuring your blood pressure).

Where will I go to have the surgery?

This depends what sort of surgery you are having.  

Robotic surgery takes place at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, Horsted Keyes ward. All other surgery takes place at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.  

You will get a letter that will tell you the date of your surgery. This letter will tell you where you will go to have the surgery.

Where do I have to go on the day of my surgery?

On the morning of your surgery, please go to the Theatre Admissions Unit (TAU). You can get to the TAU via the Emergency Ambulatory Care Unit (EACU) on level 5 of the Thomas Kemp Tower.

Which ward will I be admitted to for the surgery?

The gynaecology ward is on level 11 in the Thomas Kemp Tower. This is the tallest building at the Royal Sussex County Hospital with the helipad on top.   

The ward has two bays that have four beds each. 

Visiting hours are 2pm to 8pm

Can I bring someone with me when I have the surgery, and can they wait for me?

You are welcome to bring someone with you but once you are taken into the operating theatre for your surgery, that person will have to leave the TAU. 

Your surgery can take between two to eight hours. 

The surgeon will call your next of kin to let them know that your surgery is complete, and that you are in recovery.

Will my GP be told about my diagnosis and surgery?

Yes. Your GP will be told and updated via a letter from the clinic. You will receive a copy of this letter.

Where can I park when I get to the hospital, and how much will it cost?

There are two car parks at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.  

The first is immediately left as you turn into Bristol Gate, below the Louisa Martindale Building. 

The second is accessed by driving up Bristol Gate, then turn left after Accident and Emergency. 

 On street parking is payable by phone using the app Paybyphone.

Disabled parking is free: please press the help button at the barrier to speak to the parking officers to leave.

What happens if I have chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment?

When you are referred for chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment, you will get a telephone call from the Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Unit. They will go through all the information that you need about your treatment. This includes any phone numbers to call for help and advice. This is usually a day before your treatment starts. 

You will usually have the treatment at the Sussex Cancer Centre, Bristol Gate, Brighton, BN2 5BD. This is the first building on your left when you turn up Bristol Gate. Some treatments may be at Princess Royal Hospital. 

Appointments for chemotherapy usually take about four to six hours, depending on the type of medicine that you are given.  

If you have radiotherapy, to start with, you will have a planning scan so that the oncologist can plan which area to treat. Treatment can be Monday to Friday. You will not have appointments at the weekend.  

You may be given radiotherapy treatment at Preston Park Clinic.

Where can I park if I am having radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment?

If you are having either treatment you can use the car park opposite the Sussex Cancer Centre, which is a flat car park running alongside the Horizon Building. This is free to use.  

It can get busy, but people are always coming and going, so it should be possible to find a space.  

Once you have found a space to park in, please tell the reception team at the Sussex Cancer Centre. They will give you a permit to put in your car window.

Will I be contacted by the team looking after me, and when will this be?

The wider team looking after you is called a multi-disciplinary team, or MDT. It includes consultants, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and nurses. 

The gynaecology team hold their MDT meetings every Tuesday morning to review patient care. 

If your case is scheduled to be discussed at the MDT and the consultants have informed you to expect a call afterward, please allow up to 48 hours for them to contact you.

Who can I contact if I need help and advice?