We want to make sure patients, their families and carers, have access to as much information as possible before they come for their first appointment.
There's lots of information on the website about radiotherapy and what to expect when you come for treatment.
Follow the links to view our information videos, leaflets and other information to support you during your treatment.
You can find a range of videos here about what to expect when you come to one of our centres for radiotherapy.
You can find helpful written information about coming to one of our centres for radiotherapy here
Research and trials in radiotherapy are very important.
You can find information about research and trials in the network here.
You will be looked after by different health professionals during your treatment.
Find out more about who will be looking after you and what their roles are.
You can find information online about radiotherapy in general or about radiotherapy for specific cancers.
We regularly ask patients for feedback so we can improve experiences of coming for radiotherapy.
Read some of our feedback from our recent surveys here.
A whole team of people will care for you during your radiotherapy treatment, including;
A Consultant Clinical Oncologist is a doctor who specialises in treating different types of cancer. They decide the best cancer treatments. This can include radiotherapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy.
An oncologist will usually discuss your treatment with you. They will often plan, prescribe and oversee your radiotherapy treatment including follow-up and consent. Sometimes a Consultant Radiographer might discuss this with you.
Your oncologist and others in the health care team, will review your treatment regularly.
These are the staff you will see most often, and who perform many tasks throughout your journey and deliver your treatments.
Therapeutic Radiographers specialise in the treatment of cancer using high-energy x-rays. They are trained to perform scans and deliver treatment.
They will also care for you each day when you come to the department, providing information, advice and support to help with your physical and emotional needs during your treatment.
Clinical Specialist Therapeutic Radiographers are experienced Therapeutic Radiographers who have undergone additional training.
They can consent you for radiotherapy and provide treatment planning. They will review your progress during radiotherapy and afterwards in clinic.
Oncology Nurses look after you during your treatment. They can offer advice and support, and provide any nursing care you may need.
Clinical Technologists work in various roles within the radiotherapy department. This includes;
Clinical Scientists provide a scientific and technical support service for radiotherapy. This is to ensure the safety and accuracy of treatment delivery. They are involved in all aspects from how much radiation a patient needs and how this is calculated, to agreeing the best way to deliver treatment and measuring what is delivered.
They are also key to service developments and introducing new techniques that improve treatment accuracy and outcomes for patients.
Clinical Engineers work in radiotherapy to maintain the complex equipment used to deliver your treatment.
The engineers precisely calibrate the machines, and deal quickly with any urgent service requests.
This minimises treatment downtime and avoids delays for patients.
We're always looking for ways to improve our patients' experiences of coming for radiotherapy.
Freeman Hospital, Freeman Rd, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England NE7 7DN, United Kingdom.