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Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) there are currently visitor restrictions in place.

Please view the current guidance here: /coronavirus-(covid-19)/ 

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Changes to services from Monday 24 August 2020

Please note that if you have an outpatient chemotherapy, immunotherapy or supportive therapy appointment e.g. blood transfusion treatment, at Chapter House this will now take place at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC) or at our satellite units at the South Bristol Community Hospital or North Bristol Concord Medical Centre.

We are contacting patients who have a scheduled appointment to let them know in advance. If you haven't heard from the team please call the number on your appointment letter.

Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) information sessions

Prior to starting Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) you would usually attend a New Patient Information session.

At this session you would receive general, but essential, information about Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy and some of the side affects you need to be aware of. These sessions would normally be in a group format of 5-7 patients.

The Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre has decided to temporarily suspend the group information sessions.

In preparation for your first treatment we would recommend that you:

• Read the Macmillan information on its webpage What is chemotherapy and watch the short film.
• Read the Macmillan leaflet on the specific treatment regimen you will be receiving. You may access this information on the Macmillan wesbite here.

For additional information you may find the Macmillan Understanding chemotherapy booklet helpful. You can read it on the Macmillan website here.

In preparation for your first immunotherapy treatment we would recommend that you: 

• Watch this short film about immunotherapy, which has been developed within UHBW. This film will guide you through some general information on immunotherapy and what side effects you may experience whilst having treatment. 
• Read the Macmillan immunotherapy information relevant to you.
• Read the Macmillan leaflet on the specific treatment regimen you will be receiving. You may access this information on the Macmillan website here.

A nurse will contact you via telephone a few days before your treatment is due to start. This will be to ensure that you have the necessary medication(s) to take prior to starting treatment if needed, and have had a pre-treatment blood test.

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. You can call free on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am-8pm. 

If you have developed any symptoms of coronavirus please follow the latest national guidelines and advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Please do not come to the hospital unless advised and contact your Oncologist who will make a recommendation regarding any necessary changes to your treatment start date.

The following links to external website provide useful information regarding risk of Covid 19 whilst receiving treatment and advice on prevention:

• Cancer Research UK
• Macmillan

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) there are currently some visitor restrictions in place.

Please view the current guidance here: /coronavirus-(covid-19)/ 

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We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your family, and we are here to support you. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions or are uncertain about anything. Please download our guide to your first visit to BHOC here. When you arrive please report to the reception desk on the ground floor, where our reception team will be happy to direct you to the right place.

A directory of our services, floor by floor, is available here.

If you require the services of an interpreter during a hospital visit, the Trust has a team of interpreters whose services we can call upon. Depending on the circumstances, staff may also use a telephone interpreting service as an alternative.

Coming to visit friends or relatives on the ward

How to find us.

There are two wards in the centre, Ward D603 (was ward 61) and Ward D703 (was ward 62).

Ward D603 cares for patients receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment, as well as those who develop treatment side effects. Ward telephone number: 0117 342 2428

Ward D703. cares for patients with haematological conditions, including non-malignant conditions like haemophilia and sickle-cell disorders. Ward telephone number: 0117 342 1862

Both wards have open visiting hours to allow visitors the flexibility to visit patients when convenient. Please help us to prevent the spread of infections in our hospitals. We may need to restrict the number of visitors at any one time, and if you or anyone you have been in close contact with has been unwell in the last 48 hours with symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting or flu please do not visit. 

For any appointment queries please contact:

• Outpatient appointments: 0117 342 0849
• Treatment appointments (including oncology and haematology): 0117 342 9310
• D502 Chemo Day Unit reception: 0117 342 2341
• D701 Haematology reception: 0117 342 1862
• Radiotherapy: 0117 342 2465

To contact our wards please contact:

• Ward D603 (was ward 61): Oncology - 0117 342 2428/2406
• Ward D703 (was ward 62): Haematology - 0117 342 1863

Feeling unwell

Should you become unwell at home during your treatment, or you experience any of the following symptoms or side-effects you should contact the hospital immediately for advice

Signs/symptoms:

• Temperature above 38◦C
• Feeling hot or looking flushed
• Feeling unusually cold
• Shivering or shaking
• Feeling unwell with flu or cold like symptoms: sore throat, cough
• Any bleeding, bruising or rash
• Frequent vomiting and/or diarrhoea that lasts for more than 24 hours
• Increased frequency or a stinging/burning sensation when passing urine
• Any mouth soreness or ulcers that stop you from eating or drinking
• If you have a central line or PICC and the site looks red, feels hot, tender, painful or swollen

Oncology patients and radiotherapy patients:

Telephone the emergency helpline number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0117 342 2011 

You may be asked to come in to BHOC Acute Care. Find out more.

Haematology patients:

For patients who have had treatment on Bristol Haematology Unit Ward D703 or Day Area, please call 0117 342 1862 (Monday - Sunday, all hours)

Patients with haemophilia who have a bleed and need to come to the centre for treatment

Please telephone beforehand to let staff know you are coming. If you are not sure whether you have a bleed or need treatment, please telephone the centre for advice. You can contact the Haemophilia office on 0117 342 1872 (Monday - Friday, 9pm - 5pm).

Out-of-hours, please call 0117 342 1862 (Ward 62)

General enquires:

If you have a general enquiry please call the main switchboard on 0117 923 0000 or write to Sophie Baugh, General Manager at the following address:

Bristol Haematology And Oncology Centre
Horfield Road
Bristol
BS2 8ED