The Liverpool Lung Cancer Unit
The Liverpool Lung Cancer Unit was formed in April 2000 when the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals combined resources to provide a seamless service for patients with suspected lung cancer. It is the largest and best-performing lung cancer unit in Merseyside and Cheshire.
The unit pioneered many of the innovations in cancer care that are now embedded in national policy, including coding the reports of suspicious imaging, primary care based “straight to CT” for abnormal chest X-rays, 72-hour urgent CT scans, and remote review patient assessment to prevent unnecessary clinic attendance and speed up the diagnostic pathway.
Outpatient investigations are mainly based at the LHCH, where dedicated facilities are used to swiftly diagnose cancer and offer a treatment plan. Patients who present acutely ill initially attend the service at the RLBUHT (now the city arm of the Liverpool University Hospital) where if necessary they are admitted and their acute illness is treated in parallel with timely lung cancer investigation being facilitated.
These services are facilitated by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of lung cancer clinicians and support staff, and delivery of services is assisted by the wider respiratory teams across both Trusts.
Lung Cancer Clinicians
Professor Martin Walshaw – overall clinical lead
Dr Colin Smyth – lead for inpatient services
Dr Martin Ledson – lead for outpatient services
Lung Cancer Specialist Nurses
Andrea McIver
Joanne Dunbar
Nikki Maddock
Sophie Mercer
MDT coordinators/trackers
Louisa O’Riley
Claire Dowling
Thoracic Radiologists
Dr Caroline McCann
Dr Sukumaran Binukrishnan
Thoracic Surgeons
Mr Julius Asante-Siaw
Mr Richard Page
Mr Silviu Buderi
Oncologists
Dr Anthony Pope
Dr Olusola Faluyi
Dr Manal Alameddine
Pathologists
Dr John Gosney
Dr Thomas Giles
Specialist Palliative Care Team
Dr Helen Bonwick
Sue Oakes
Jeanette Renshaw
Social workers
Tracey Sweeney
Tara Hallam
Occupational Therapist
Sue Sutton
Psychologist
Cancer Psychology service based on RLH site.
Quality
These services have been developed in line with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidance (www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG121) and the National Quality Surveillance Programme (www.qst.england.nhs.uk/)
Research and Audit
Research and audit is integral to the clinical activity of the Liverpool Lung Cancer Unit. These works are regularly presented at local, national and international events. The National Lung cancer Audit (www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/national-lung-cancer-audit) and associated action plan underpin the team’s annual priorities.
Further Information/contact with team:
Secretarial offices: 0151 600 1468 and 0151 706 3559.
Clinical Nurse Specialist offices: 0151 600 1182 and 0151 706 2372.