NHS Lothian is Scotland’s second largest health board and serves a population of approximately 850,000 people living in Edinburgh and the Lothians. We employ around 24,000 staff and provide a full range of primary, community and acute hospital services.
Our cancer services are mainly based within Edinburgh at the Western General Hospital (WGH), located in the North West of the city; approximately two miles form the city centre. We also have palliative care team based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE), in the south of the city and at St. John’s Hospital, Livingston. We pride ourselves in cross site working to enhance the patients management pathway. In addition to palliative care we have a haemophilia centre based at the RIE and a day case unit providing systemic anticancer and supportive therapies at St. John’s Hospital.
The WGH cancer service has three in-patient areas specialising in all aspects of the care and management of solid malignancies. We have a dedicated Cancer Assessment Unit (CAU) which works in partnership with the cancer treatment helpline. We have two in-patient areas which specialise in haematological malignancy and benign disease, within these areas we care for autologous stem cell transplant patients. We have a large day case facility where Systemic Anti Cancer Therapy (SACT) and supportive therapies are delivered. This department also has a clinical trials facility where an extensive portfolio of phase I to III trials are managed. We have an outpatient department and treatment floor, where radiotherapy is coordinated and delivered.
In addition we have a specialised breast service; with an inpatient and day suite facility, two operating theatres and an outpatient breast clinic. We work in partnership with plastics to ensure we can offer innovative and cutting edge surgical options for patients diagnosed with breast disease.
Cancer services for NHS Lothian is part of South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN). We work in partnership with regional boards; NHS Fife, NHS Borders and NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
Transport
WGH’s central location makes it easily accessible from a verity of city centre and out of town locations. There are excellent public transport links.
