Royal marsden

Hi, I had my surgery and am currently having rads at the Marsden in Sutton. I have a dedicated bc nurse (although I haven't had to call her). All the staff are wonderful. if I can be of any help or, if you do transfer and fancy a coffee and chat, let me know x

I'm at the Chelsea Royal Marsden and had surgery mid September. I live the same distance from both branches but chose Chelsea because of much better transport links and more facilities around it. It's also not too far from The Haven where they offer lots of therapeutic help for breast cancer sufferers so I'm able to combine visits. The hospital itself has been a wonderful experience, quite unlike the experiences I've had in the past with local hospitals. Yes there are dedicated breast care nurses, but the entire team is so welcoming and supportive that I can't fault them in any way at all, and the hospital itself is quite different in feel from the huge local ones. I'm so glad I made the decision to go there. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Hi Marie,

I have visited the Lymphoedema clinic at RMH in Surrey and found the hospital welcoming, friendly  and calm. I'm booked in at The Lymphedema Clinic next week at RMH Chelsea. It is useful to know there's a Haven nearby! I was diagnosed with BC a year ago this month. Judith x

hi jak64 , thanks for your info, I too had radiotherapy there a while ago, if I do transfer I will def get in touch, but I think the chelsea branch is nearer to me , I'd be happy to keep in touch x

Hi hair worries, I'm glad to hear your experience of chelsea was so good it sounds like what I'm looking for as my care at St.Georges has been a bit hit and miss, great in a crisis but ongoing care not so good. It would be lovely to feel supported and trust in the staff, I think I'm going to transfer there if I can, thanis for the info x

Hi Judith, yes the HAven sounds a good place to visit, I hope your treatment at chelsea goes well, seems like it's a great hospital to go too, all the best  X

Hi Marie

I was initially diagnosed at St Georges too but asked specifically to go to the RM for treatment. There's something nice about knowing you are in a specialist hospital. The Haven would also be great for ongoing support - they aren't right next door but only five minutes down the road in a bus or car (opposite Fulham Broadway station). Check their website out.

Good luck x

Hi Marie. I can see you had a similar challenge I have now. How did you decide in the end? And are you happy with the decision? I am with Royal Marsden in Chelsea but I found out today, to my horror, that (unlike in other hospitals) it's not the consultants who do the mastectomies at Marsden, it's the trainees. I am not sure if this is a risk and I should look elsewhere. Or if Marsden is still the right choice. 

If you could share some of your experiences, I would be grateful.

Thank you.

Hi 

I’ve had all my treatment (surgeryx2, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) at the Royal Marsden in Sutton and it’s been fantastic.  Both my surgeries were done by the consultant with either a Clinical Fellow in breast surgery or Specialist Registrar from the breast team assisting who were both experienced in breast surgery even though not consultants, so it might be worth checking with your team exactly what they mean by “trainees”. I would expect a Consultant would be in theatre to supervise in any case.  You’re right to ask the question though as I’m not sure how I’d feel in your situation, though I guess the consultant surgeons of the future have to learn somehow!

The nursing staff at the hospital have been exceptional and I’ve felt totally safe going there throughout Covid.  So in my experience I’d recommend the Sutton branch and I believe a lot of the surgeons work at both.

Hope that helps

Loffie x