A new breast service covering North West London, including Harrow, allows women to be tested and treated at one location and often during a single visit.
Northwick Park Hospital is hosting the new one-stop centre providing a more convenient patient-friendly service that will help reduce waiting times, say the London Northwest University Health Care NHS trust.
At present, the service sees more than 7,000 patients a year and treats more than 400 women with breast cancer. The changes have been driven by patient feedback and the importance of making cancer care as straightforward as possible for patients.
The National Breast Screening Programme will also now be co-located with the treatment centre. Clinicians hope the co-located services encourage more women to get screened while a resident GP will forge stronger links with community primary care.
Consultant Jason Lee said: “The new centre allows us to deliver innovative breast health aimed at patients with concerns about symptoms that are unlikely to be related to cancer.
“We aim to be the first clinic in the region to offer the possibility of performing every type of biopsy at the patient’s initial visit.”
“It will also allow smoother cancer journeys for patients, including post-operatively, and a better ability to address any concerns. The hospital trust is retaining its neighbouring breast service at Ealing Hospital which offers mammography and ultrasound.
