Cancer care

University Hospitals of Leicester offers a range of diagnostic, treatment, and support services for patients with many types of cancer.

UHL is part of the East Midlands Cancer Alliance and provides specialist services in areas such as haematological cancers, breast, lung, colorectal, and urological cancers. The Trust combines clinical excellence with research and innovation, working closely with partners such as the University of Leicester and the Leicester Cancer Research Centre to ensure patients benefit from the latest advances in cancer treatment and care.

Cancer care at UHL is delivered by multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) made up of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, specialist nurses, and allied health professionals, ensuring a coordinated approach tailored to each patient’s individual needs. The Trust is also committed to supporting patients and families throughout their cancer journey, with services ranging from psychological support and palliative care to survivorship and rehabilitation programs.

The 62 Day Pathway

The 62 day pathway is a national guideline for clinicians, other health professionals and administrative staff to ensure individuals are seen and treated within a set time.

Getting referred

The most common way to be referred on to the 62 day pathway is by your GP. Sometimes your dentist or optician may also refer to this is with a ‘Two Week Wait’ or ‘Urgent Suspected Cancer’ appointment. If your GP thinks further investigations are needed, they will refer you to the hospital to see a specialist.  Once the hospital receives the referral, the process begins. Following your referral you will either have an appointment at the hospital, or be sent directly for tests such as an MRI scan or a biopsy.

If a cancer is diagnosed (sometimes before diagnosis), your case will be discussed at an Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting. This involves many individuals, who will review all of your test results and consider all your personal needs and requirements. From this discussion, your recommended treatment option will be documented. This will be discussed with you at a follow up appointment, by an appropriately trained healthcare professional. 

A Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting is a regular meeting that takes place between health care professionals, to discuss individual patient cases. Every patient with a new diagnosis of cancer (and sometimes before diagnosis) is discussed and their scans and biopsies are reviewed by the team. Using the combined expertise of each team member and identifying specific needs of each patient, the MDT members will recommend a treatment plan.

MDT members

  • MDT Lead: an appointed member of the MDT. It is their responsibility to lead the meetings and discuss any issues which may affect the target date for treatment.
  • Cancer Pathway Navigator: responsible for making sure patient cases are discussed at the meeting. They create the agendas, take the minutes and document the treatment plans on to the cancer database.
  • CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist): acts as the patient voice in the MDT, they will feed back information to patients which enables them to make informed decisions regarding their ongoing care and treatment.
  • Clinician (doctor or surgeon): is in charge of your treatment will normally present your case at the MDT meeting. They will discuss your individual needs and medical history with the group to determine which treatment plan should be recommended to you.
  • Oncologist: will review each case and assess whether a patient would benefit from chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
  • Radiologist: presents and interprets imaging such as MRIs, CTs and PET scans. They can tell the team crucial information such as the size and precise location of the cancer.
  • Pathologist: examines biopsies and surgical specimens in order to give a definitive diagnosis of cancer and identify its type.
  • Dietitian: assesses patients’ nutrition pre and post treatment. They provide dietary advice and care.
  • Radiographer: works with the Oncologist and helps to deliver radiotherapy treatment.
  • Speech & Language Therapist: for certain cancers or treatments, a Speech and Language Therapist will diagnose, treat and help to prevent any disorders relating to swallowing, speech, or voice.

Your treatment start date should be within 62 days of the clock starting (when the GP referral was received by the hospital), and within 31 days of decision to treat (this is when you and the clinician have agreed on your treatment plan).

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to treat within 62 days, for example, there can be appointment delays or further tests may happen if more information is needed. Ongoing work takes place behind the scenes to support timely diagnosis and treatment within the recommended timeframe.

NHS England introduced a target called the 28 Day Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS). This means the maximum waiting time is 28 days to exclude a cancer diagnosis or, for the minority of referrals, confirming a cancer diagnosis.

In many cases, following investigations, patients are found not to have cancer, but another medical condition may be identified, for which you may be referred to another service in the hospital or referred back to your GP for onward management.

It can be a worrying time while you wait. Please speak to your GP about local services who can support you during this time. Other NHS support can be found at feelings and symptoms – NHS.

What we need from you:

  • Prism Leaflet? 2WW team contact number? Chase GP?
  • Be available from referral for consultations, tests and treatment
  • Be available at short notice for consultations and tests
  • Engage with us by returning our phone calls, text messages  or letters
  • Attend the appointments we agree with you or if unable to make an appointment contact us so the slot can be offered to other patients

The 31 Day Pathway

The 31 Day Pathway will apply to all patients following a decision to treat. The decision to treat is the point when you and your healthcare professional have agreed what your first treatment will be. This first treatment must start 31 days from this decision. This includes first treatments and any subsequent treatments for cancer.

Treatments types include:

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy, Chemoradiotherapy and Radiotherapy
  • Hormone treatments
  • Active Monitoring / Watchful Waiting (where no immediate treatment is required)
  • Palliative Care / Best Supportive Care (where no active treatments are appropriate)

Personalised Care

Personalised Care is being introduced across the country to support a more systematic and proactive approach to cancer care and rehabilitation to aid recovery.  There is more emphasis in empowering people to manage their own care by giving them the appropriate information and support to do so. The aim is to shift from a standard ‘one size fits all’ approach, which is patient-centred and where clinical, psychosocial and practical needs are assessed and managed effectively. 

Personalised care is made up of the following elements:

Personalised care and support planning is based on a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA). A HNA can be offered at key points during your treatment to discuss and assess any concerns or worries that you may have.

The HNA gives you an opportunity to consider all aspects of your well-being including physical, emotional, practical, financial or spiritual, as well as the potential impact upon your family, friends and lifestyle.

Any aspects you raise, will be discussed between you and a health care professional and together you will aim to identify possible solutions. This care plan may include things like, giving you information leaflets or contact details for organisations that can help with your concerns. A copy of the care plan will be shared with you either at the time of the appointment or sent to you afterwards. It may also be shared with other members of your healthcare team.

You will be offered the opportunity to complete further HNA’s as you progress through treatment if needed, however, you can request another HNA at any time during your treatment. Please speak to your CNS or keyworker to request a HNA.

Find more information on Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) | Healthcare professionals | Macmillan Cancer Support.

In 2025, the University Hospitals of Leicester, are taking part in a regional pilot to look at the creation of automated treatment summaries. The summary will outline:

  • Your diagnosis and treatment.
  • What to expect now that the treatment has finished.
  • Any tests or investigations you might need in the future.
  • Any side effects or potential signs you should be aware of.
  • The contact details of your healthcare team.

A copy of this will be sent to you and your GP if applicable.

A cancer care review is a discussion that takes place between you and a member of your GP practice.

It is an opportunity to discuss your planned treatment, the treatment you have had and how you are feeling. The member of your GP practice will tell you about the information and support that is available to you in the local area.

The hospital will send letters to you and your GP,  which will help with the completion of the cancer care review.

This will be arranged by your GP practice. If you are yet to hear about your cancer care review, please call your GP practice to arrange an appointment.

Looking after your health and wellbeing is important when you have received a cancer diagnosis.

This can be implemented in serval ways, including getting yourself in the best possible health before treatment starts – often called ‘prehab’ – examples of this include, stopping smoking, improving fitness and nutrition before you start your treatment.

At the University Hospitals of Leicester we offer a sign posting service to support groups, wellness events which may be physical or emotional within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland at the Macmillan Information and Support Centre based at the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI), ground floor, Osborne Building. Please drop in, call 0116 258 6189 or email [email protected].