FAQ

1. What type of cancer patients are seen at the LOC?
2. Do consultants at the LOC see NHS patients?
3. Do consultants at the LOC provide 2nd opinions?
4. What is the cost of a first appointment or a 2nd opinion if I don’t have health insurance?
5. How much does it cost for treatment at the LOC?
6. How long does it take to get an appointment?
7. Who is the best person to refer the patient to LOC for an appointment?
8. Is there a guarantee that every patient requesting an appointment will be seen?
9. I would like a 2nd opinion by a cancer surgeon?
10. If the patient is under 18 years old, can they be seen at LOC?
11. What if I am worried that I might have cancer?
12. I need more information about the different types of cancer and treatments?
13. I have private health insurance and I need help making an appointment to see one of the consultants working at the LOC and I don’t know who to see?
14. We need our relative/friend to be transferred to you from another country?

 

 

1. What type of cancer patients are seen at the LOC?

 

LOC consultants between them have specialist expertise in most cancers. Where someone has a cancer not treated by a LOC consultant we will advise you as to an appropriate consultant outside the LOC. This can also be found on our website.

 

 

2. Do Consultants at the LOC see NHS patients?

 

We are able to provide 2nd opinions on patients who have been ‘diagnosed with cancer’. This can be a newly diagnosed cancer and /or a newly relapsed cancer. There maybe situations where there are no further treatment options left in the NHS and you may be looking to see what treatment options are available privately. Please talk to your NHS Consultant first, as they will be aware of treatment that will be available outside of the NHS. They will also be able to assess whether the patient is well enough to have further treatment.

 

 

3. Do consultants at the LOC provide 2nd opinions?

 

Depending on their workload, an individual consultant may not always be able to provide a second opinion, but we will always try and find a consultant with the appropriate specialist expertise who can provide the opinion. We do have some consultants that are only able to see patients that are currently having treatment and/or have been previously treated under their care.

 

 

4. What is the cost of a first appointment or a 2nd opinion if I don’t have health insurance?

 

We are only able to provide an approximate price – which is currently around £300 for the consultation. You will need to confirm this price when your appointment is being made.

 

 

5. How much does it cost for treatment at the LOC?

 

The majority of people who we treat at LOC have private medical insurance as the costs for cancer treatment can be substantial. The cost of drugs varies depending on the treatment that is needed and the dosages are worked out on an individual basis per patient.

It is therefore impossible to provide an estimate of costs until you have been seen by your LOC consultant and a plan of treatment decided on. Once the treatment has been agreed with your consultant then the LOC will be able to provide you with a quote for the treatment.

The costs of chemotherapy and the associated medication and investigations are likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds. If someone on treatment becomes unwell and requires inpatient admission to a private hospital this can also be very expensive. These costs are usually met in full by private medical insurance companies, but you always have to check with your insurer as each policy is different. If you are not insured you need to think carefully about the affordability of private cancer treatment as it can be very expensive and the total cost is often unpredictable.

 

 

6. How long does it take to get an appointment?

 

We are acutely aware that waiting for an appointment to see a consultant is a very anxious time. The majority of new patients referred to a consultant at the LOC will receive an appointment within a week of the consultant receiving the full referral, or sooner if possible. In the case of second opinions this may take significantly longer, especially if you wish to see a specific consultant. If an appointment form has not been sent and/or essential documentation is missing, an appointment cannot be made until it has been received.

 

 

7. Who is the best person to refer the patient to LOC for an appointment?

 

The patient’s current consultant/surgeon is the best person to write the referral as they have the best available information about you and your cancer. This is also the most effective and efficient route of obtaining the essential referral information. There are some situations when it may be more appropriate for your GP to make the referral.

 

 

8. Is there a guarantee that every patient requesting an appointment will be seen?

 

Our aim is to provide a service to all patients, but a particular consultant may not be able to see any more patients at a particular time. There may be times when it is difficult to arrange an appointment and although we will always do our best, it cannot always be guaranteed. If the consultant feels that the patient is not likely to benefit from being seen, or if a patient is too unwell, then we would advise you accordingly.

 

 

9. I would like a 2nd opinion by a cancer surgeon?

 

We do not have any cancer surgeons working at LOC.

 

 

10. If the patient is under 18 years old, can they be seen at LOC?

 

Unfortunately because of the terms of our Healthcare Commission licence, we are unable to treat or see anyone under the age of 18.

 

 

11. What if I am worried that I might have cancer?

 

The LOC does not provide initial cancer diagnostic services. The first step is to visit your GP, who can refer you for tests and/or to a specialist. We do not provide services to diagnose cancer.

 

 

12. I need more information about the different types of cancer and treatments?

 

We are unable to provide general information about cancer and we recommend you access the Cancerbackup website which provides a wealth of information on all aspects of cancer and its treatment – http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk

 

 

13. I have private health insurance and I need help making an appointment to see one of the consultants working at the LOC and I don’t know who to see?

 

Please access our Patient Referral Service on: 020 7317 2504 or complete the on-line appointment form. We will be in contact with you by phone within 24 hours (with the exception of weekends and bank holidays) of your enquiry.

 

 

14. We need our relative/friend to be transferred to you from another country?

 

Unfortunately we are a Monday-Friday clinic and do not provide 24 hr hospital care. We can arrange direct admission to a private hospital if one of the LOC consultants has accepted the patient under their care.