Introduction
Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is a life changing event and you and your family may experience a wide range of emotions during the treatment pathway.
However, bowel cancer is one of the most common and treatable cancers. The dedicated specialist colorectal team at the trust aims for you to receive the best possible care.
During your cancer journey you will be supported by clinical nurse specialist:
- Faye Riley, Clinical Nurse Specialist Colorectal cancer
- Fiona Power, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Colorectal Cancer
We are available to contact regarding any concerns you may have, or just to have someone to talk to. Please contact the dedicated support helpline which is open Monday to Friday 10am -2pm.
dedicated support helpline telephone number - 01932 726659 or email
If your call is unable to be taken please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as we can.
For help with appointments, you can contact the colorectal secretaries on:
- 01932 722318 or
- 01932 722233
If you need support out of hours, please contact NHS111 who will direct you the most appropriate service.
We work very closely with a team of consultant surgeons, a consultant oncologist (cancer doctor), other medical staff, clinical nurse specialists, radiologists and pathologists. Together we form a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). As core members of this team, we will act as your key worker and advocate for you throughout your care.
What do your CNS team do?
As your Cancer Nurse specialist, we aim to help coordinate your care and provide you with continuity. We can do this by acting as a link between you and the various other hospitals and staff involved in your care.
We appreciate that this can be a very difficult time for you and your family and friends and you are likely to experience a wide range of emotions. It may be that you feel you need more information about your illness and the treatment or management planned for you. You may have choices to make, want to know what to expect in the future or want the opportunity to talk about how you are feeling.
We are here to answer any questions, discuss your individual worries or concerns, but also to talk as openly with you as you want about the impact and reality of your diagnosis and treatment. We can liaise with GPs, district nurses and community Macmillan nurses as required.
Cancer Support Workers
Cancer Support workers offer a dedicated support helpline for all our cancer patients, family members and carers. They are available to answer questions, help with appointments and access local support services as well as provide support throughout your cancer journey.
They work closely with your CNS and if the question or concern is of a clinical nature they will contact them and they will get in touch.
Contact Number: 01932 726659 or email
How is your care planned?
The Multi–Disciplinary team (MDT) meets weekly on a Tuesday afternoon to discuss all newly diagnosed patients. All the investigations that have been performed are discussed and a recommended treatment plan agreed. This will then be discussed with you with the consultant in the outpatient department and we will be present to support you.
During your treatment, or follow-up surveillance after treatment is completed, the MDT will discuss any investigations that may be of concern, and your consultant will discuss these with you.
All surgery is carried out at St Peter’s Hospital. If you need radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, this will be carried out at St Luke’s Cancer Centre in Guildford.
Personalised Cancer Care
At Ashford and St Peter’s we provide a patient-centred approach, helping to support you living with and beyond cancer. We aim to provide a well-coordinated, holistic, personalised approach to your care.
Additional Support
For more information and contact details please see your additional support page.
Spiritual Support
The Hospital Chaplain holds contact details of all the recognised bodies offering spiritual care, across the trust. Patients and their families who feel this input would be helpful can contact the Hospital Chaplain via the hospital switchboard by calling 01932 872000.
Interpreters and translation services
Interpreters / translation services can be available for non-English speaking, deaf or visually impaired patients if required.
Written information can also be obtained as required.
Chaperones can also be made available before a consultation or procedure if requested by the patient, these can be arranged by liaising with your nursing team.
