Meet the team
A multidisciplinary team (MDT) will support you by bringing together different healthcare professionals to provide coordinated, personalised care and support throughout your diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
Sometime during investigations, we identify other conditions these will be referred to the appropriate medical team to continue to manage.
Consultant Oncologist - A consultant oncologist is a specialist doctor who treats cancer. They work with a multidisciplinary team to determine the best course of treatment, which may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapies
Consultant Surgeon – A Consultant Surgeon is a specialist doctor who operates to remove the cancer/tumour from the body. They also manage the follow up your care after treatment and work closely with the multidisciplinary team.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) - The role of a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) includes providing information, counselling, and support; managing care; and engaging in research, teaching, and service developments. CNSs diagnose, prescribe, and treat patients, improving outcomes by providing direct patient care. They also act as key workers, providing information, support, and liaison to improve the cancer care process for the patient.
Radiologist - A radiologist will examine the anatomy, pathology and clinical history of a patient as well as their previous images to select the most appropriate technique for diagnosis while minimising a patient’s exposure to radiation. They’ll do this by using a wide range of imaging techniques, including:
- x-ray
- ultrasound
- computed tomography (CT) including multislice scanning
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- positron emission tomography (PET) coupled with CT or MRI to enable enhanced 3D images
- fluoroscopy – using real-time x-ray imaging to show internal structures of the body
- molecular imaging – CT perfusion, dual-energy CT, optical imaging
- nuclear medicine techniques
Radiologists may also perform minimally invasive procedures know as interventional radiology. These techniques are designed to reduce the risk of infection and aid recovery times.
Cancer Support Worker (CSW) - A cancer support worker provides emotional, practical, and informational support to individuals and their families affected by cancer. They offer a listening ear and help patients cope with emotional challenges, provide information about cancer and its treatments. Our Cancer Support Worker page will give further information on this role and how they could support you.
Specialist Dietician – A Specialist dietitian provides nutritional advice and support to patients related to a diagnosis of cancer. They can also help manage nutritional problems associated with cancer and treatment side effects
Radiographer/ Radiotherapist - Therapeutic radiographers are experts in radiotherapy and are specially trained to give you your treatment. They can also give you support, advice and information about your radiotherapy. They will:
- help plan your treatment
- help you get into the right position for treatment
- operate the radiotherapy machine to give you your treatment
- give you information, practical care and support throughout your treatment.
You will get to know a team of radiographers during your treatment. You may see other radiographers who can give you expert advice and support during and after your treatment. For example, you might see a treatment review radiographer or an information and support radiographer. You can discuss any worries about your treatment with them.”
Consultant Radiographer (Breast and Prostate Only) - Consultant radiographers are highly trained experts in treating specific types of cancer with radiotherapy. They specialise in planning and giving radiotherapy and providing support. You may see a consultant radiographer instead of a clinical oncologist before and during your course of radiotherapy.
Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) (Head and Neck Only) - Speech and Language Therapists provide a highly specialist service to both inpatients and outpatients who may experience difficulty swallowing or speaking following treatment.
Other health professionals - Other types of health professionals may be involved in your care. Who you may meet depends on what type of cancer you have and what help you need. They may include the following:
- Physiotherapist – someone who gives advice about exercise and mobility.
- Occupational therapist (OT) – someone who gives information, support and aids to help people with tasks such as washing and dressing.