The Duke of Cambridge visits The Royal Marsden

The Duke of Cambridge, President of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, visited The Royal Marsden in Chelsea to learn about the psychological support being offered to staff, patients and their families.

The Royal Marsden opened its doors in 1851 as the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education. Now, it is the largest and most comprehensive cancer centre in Europe, treating and seeing over 50,000 NHS and private patients every year.

Meeting Aly, Matron at the Bud Flanagan Unit. At end of 2017 Aly took time off work with stress, compassion fatigue and depression. Aly said: “It was a very upsetting and difficult time, but with the support of my family, GP and The Royal Marsden team, I not only got through it, I came back stronger than ever.” Since returning to work, Aly has been promoted to Matron.

With Julie, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. Following treatment and remission, the cancer came back in 2018 and she received robotic surgery at The Royal Marsden. Julie received psychological support to deal with her relapse and treatment impact, together with speech and language therapy to get her speech and eating back to a ‘new’ normal.

Visiting the Ellis Ward, which specialises in the care of female patients undergoing investigations and treatments for breast, gynaecological, urological and gastrointestinal cancers.

In January this year, The Royal Marsden announced the sudden death of Professor Martin Gore, who was their Medical Director for 10 years and a Trustee of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The Duke met Professor Gore’s widow, Pauline Gore, and some of his closest colleagues.

The staff of the Royal Marsden work tirelessly to continue to make a national and global contribution to cancer research and treatment, so that more people are cured and quality of life is improved for those living with cancer. The Duke met staff to thank them for their incredible work.