Radiotherapy Treatment at the Worcestershire Oncology Centre

Radiotherapy Treatment at the Worcestershire Oncology Centre

Introduction:  

This leaflet explains radiotherapy, the planning process, your treatment schedule, and what to expect during your visits to the Radiotherapy Department.

Please read it together with your Radiotherapy Consent Form and your site‑specific information leaflet. If your consent form is on paper, bring it to your CT planning appointment. If emailed, please ensure it is electronically signed.

Radiotherapy Planning appointment:

After your consultation, you will receive an appointment for radiotherapy planning. This appointment is important because it ensures your treatment is safe, accurate, and tailored to you.

If you do not receive an appointment within 7 working days of your consultation, please contact the Radiotherapy Bookings Team, telephone 01905 768 901.

What is radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy uses high‑energy X‑rays to treat cancer and certain non‑cancer conditions. It may be given alone or alongside surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy. Each treatment plan is personalised to ensure precision.

How does it work?  

Radiotherapy damages cells in the treatment area. Cancer cells are less able to repair this damage and are destroyed. Healthy cells usually recover, though some side effects may last longer.

Treatment Schedule  

Radiotherapy is given as a series of outpatient sessions called fractions. You may:

• Attend Monday to Friday.

• Attend once a week or every other day.

• Occasionally receive more than one treatment per day.

Treatment may range from a single session to a course lasting 6–7 weeks. Radiotherapy must be delivered continuously for best results.

We recommend avoiding holidays immediately after treatment. Fatigue is common, and treatment schedules can change. If you already have travel plans, please tell us before treatment begins.

Treatment planning

Planning your radiotherapy is a careful and detailed process. Your treatment plan is checked several times to make sure it is safe, accurate, and tailored to you before treatment begins.

Treatment planning helps us to:

• Identify the exact area to be treated
• Find the best and most comfortable position for you
• Make sure your treatment is precise and repeatable

Your treatment is planned using a CT scan, which produces detailed images of the treatment area. During the appointment:

• You will be positioned carefully so treatment can be delivered the same way each day.

• The scan itself takes around 10 minutes.

• The whole visit may last up to an hour.

You will be informed in advance if special preparation (such as fasting or a full bladder) is needed.

You may need one or more visits before treatment starts. In most cases, planning takes 2–3 weeks. Occasionally, treatment may start on the same day as your CT scan.

If treatment starts on the same day, you may be in the department for several hours. Please bring any medication, food, or drinks you may need.

Tattoo Marks

Tiny permanent tattoos (similar to a freckle) may be placed on your skin. These help us position you accurately for every treatment session.

Contrast Medium

Some people require an injection of contrast dye to make organs easier to see on the scan. If you have ever had a reaction to contrast dye, please tell us.

Masks and immobilisation

If you are having radiotherapy to the head, neck, or certain skin areas, you may need a custom‑made mask to help you stay still during treatment. This mask is usually made on the same day as your CT scan, and you will receive additional information if required.

Pacemakers and Medical Devices

Radiotherapy may affect pacemakers or similar devices. If you have one, please inform your consultant or radiographer before your planning CT or treatment. Bring your Pacemaker ID Card with you to your appointment.

Pregnancy

Radiotherapy can harm an unborn baby. Please tell us immediately if you:

• Are pregnant.

• Think you may be pregnant.

• Become pregnant before or during treatment.

We strongly advise avoiding pregnancy for 6–12 months after radiotherapy. Your consultant or GP can provide contraception advice.

Radiotherapy does not make you radioactive. You can safely be around children and pregnant people.

Smoking

Smoking during radiotherapy can:

• Worsen side effects.

• Reduce how well treatment works.

• Make treatment harder to tolerate.

If you would like help to stop smoking, support is available via the National Smokefree Helpline (0300 123 1044).

FIRST DAY OF TREATMENT

On your first day, a radiographer will:

• Explain how treatment works.

• Confirm your consent to treatment

• Discuss expected side effects.

• Answer any questions that you may have

Daily Treatment Sessions

Each session may vary in length depending on the area being treated. During treatment:

• You may need to remove clothing from the treatment area and wear a gown.

• You will lie on the treatment couch in the same position used for your CT scan.

• Radiographers will use tattoo marks and measurements to position you.

• If you have a treatment mask, you will wear it for every session.

The radiographers will leave the room during treatment, but you will be monitored at all times using CCTV (not recorded). You will not see or feel the radiation, though you may hear a buzzing sound.

Images may be taken before treatment to check your position. Please stay as still as possible and breathe normally.

Videos about your treatment

Worcestershire Oncology Centre has created a series of short videos to help you understand the radiotherapy planning and treatment process.

To watch the videos:

• Go to YouTube
• Search for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
• Select Playlists and choose View full playlist

If you are unable to access the videos, please speak to a member of the radiotherapy team

Treatment Reviews

You will have review appointments during your course of radiotherapy. These may be with:

• A Macmillan Review Radiographer.

• Your consultant or their team.

• A clinical nurse specialist.

These reviews focus on side effects and general wellbeing, not how well the treatment is working.

How we keep you safe

We use clear procedures, careful treatment planning, and regular equipment checks to ensure your treatment is safe from start to finish.

The Worcestershire Oncology Centre works to the ISO 9001:2015 quality standard and is regularly reviewed by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service

There are two Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centres at Worcestershire Royal Hospital:

• Main Entrance
• Oncology Unit

These centres provide information, advice, and support for patients, relatives, and carers.

When the Centres are not open, information and support can be obtained from:

Macmillan Support Line 0808 808 0000 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or at www.macmillan.org.uk

Getting to the hospital 

Pick-up/Drop Off

There are several drop off spaces available for 20minute drop offs outside the Oncology Centre.  Please ensure you do not overstay the time limit as you may be subject to penalties.

Parking

Visitor Patient Car Park 2 is the closest car park to the Oncology Centre.  

This is a barrier-controlled visitor’s car park next to the Oncology Centre (on the left as you enter the hospital site).

Disabled Parking

There is a disabled car park directly outside the Oncology centre; this requires you to display your blue badge.

Concessionary Parking

Radiotherapy patients are entitled to concessionary car parking. Please speak to the receptionist at your first appointment.

Bus Routes 

For more information about bus services to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust call the traveline on:  0871 200 22 33 or www.traveline.info or visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/bustimetables

Transport

The non-emergency patient transport service is funded by the NHS for patients who, due to their mobility needs or medical condition, are unable to travel safely by other means. The service is provided by E-zec Medical Transport Services Ltd on behalf of your local NHS.

Non-emergency patient transport is provided by E-zec Medical, please call 0300 0110 017 to book.

Other transport options

Other options may be more appropriate for you. Please see the patient information websites below.

Herefordshire:  

www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200187/transport/164/community_transport  

Worcestershire:  

www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20552/transport_and_travelling

These websites detail community programs to assist people with local transport.

Please use this space to make a note of any queries or questions you may have:

If your symptoms or condition worsens, or if you are concerned about anything, please call your GP, 111, or 999.

Patient Experience

We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to answer your questions and reassure you. 

Feedback

Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf, if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:

Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: [email protected]

Opening times:

The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your call within one working day.

If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.  

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