Children’s Haematology and Oncology Centre (CHOC)
The Children’s Haematology and Oncology Centre, or CHOC, (previously known as ward 20) is located on the ground floor of the hospital in the Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre. The Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre has its own external entrance in the north west corner of the hospital site, and there is also a connecting corridor from the main Princess Royal Hospital corridor. The centre itself is an annex to Ward 19 (Children’s Ward). For more information on how to find us, please see our maps in the “useful links” section of this page.
About the ward
The Children’s Oncology & Haematology Centre is a dedicated suite for children receiving oncology or haematology treatment.
It provides a modern, family-friendly and safe environment for children to receive their chemotherapy and care. Children with cancer have 24-hour open access to the Ward. Please contact the ward before bringing your child in.
Each bedspace has a put-up bed for one parent or carer to stay overnight. There are bathrooms for parents and carers to use too.
Our nurses and other health care professionals work together to ensure that every child has high quality service, whatever their reason for being with us.
We believe that trust builds around the positive and effective behaviour of the staff, and that the child and the family need to be involved in what is happening and plans that are made for care.
We strive to make good relationships with patients and their families, listening and responding to their needs. Confidentiality and Consent underpin all that we do.
Key Info
Useful links
Site maps
Getting to us
Support Services
Cancer Services
Haematology and Oncology
PALS
Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Hope House Children’s Hospice
Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG)
Contact Details
The ward can be contacted on 01952 565920.
Community Nursing Team Shrewsbury – 01743 450855
Community Nursing Team Powys – 01686 617445
Paediatric Psychology Service – Multi-Agency Child and Family Support Centre, Monkmoor Campus, Woodcote Way, Shrewsbury, SY2 5SH – Tel. 01743 282373
We also want to ensure that going home from hospital is as straightforward as possible, with children, their families and their carers knowing about the help that is available to them when they are at home.
Facilities
Day Case room: We have a new Day Case Chemotherapy Room where children can receive their treatment within an appropriate space.
Playroom: The playroom has a wide selection of toys, games, puzzles and books for all ages. Activities for different age groups are organised by the play team. Brothers and sisters are welcome but need to be supervised by a parent or carer. There is also a large outside play area which is accessible from all bedrooms and the day case room.
Family room: There is a family room where you can take some time out from the ward. There is also a mini-kitchen including a kettle, toaster and microwave.
Isolation: Children who are nursed in isolation may only be visited by their immediate family, or at the discretion of the nurse in charge, as special precautions may need to be taken. The nurse will be able to advise you on this.
We welcome any comments you have to make and a member of staff is always available to discuss any concerns or issues you have. If you are not able to resolve concerns with the staff directly involved in your loved one’s care, then please contact the Ward Manager.
Visiting us
Parents and Carers are welcome at any time.
Visitors – We advise 11am to 7pm for all other visitors, but please speak to the nurse in charge if visitors need to come at another time.
Please help to keep a calm environment on the ward by not having too many visitors at once.
For security, all visitors need to use a buzzer system for access to the ward, and CCTV is in use on the ward.
Please do not visit the ward if you are unwell (especially coughs, colds and stomach upsets) or if you have been in contact with infection.
Services Offered
The SATH POSCU is a Level 2 B Enhanced Service which provides care for children and young people with cancer and similar conditions including non-malignant haematology conditions – haemophilia and haemoglobinopathies.
We provide:-
On-treatment Patients
- The full range of supportive care as a standard POSCU for example:-
- Inpatient supportive care including children with febrile neutropenia
- Outpatient supportive care
- Outpatient follow-up
We provide 24/7 Open Access to all Oncology children on treatment direct onto the Children’s Haematology Oncology Unit for Emergency Paediatric Care within 1 Hour.
As a POSCU we do have a collocated commissioned Emergency Unit, although we expect all patient’s to come direct to the POSCU 24/7.
We also provide access to HDU for Children – Critical Care Level 1. We have a 2 bedded HDU area (Bay E) and provide HDU level care where appropriate with 24/7 discussion with the KIDS – Kids Intensive Care and Decision Support based in Birmingham via the emergency referral line – 0300 200 1100.
We also provide SACT (Systematic Anti-Cancer Therapy) including:-
- Outpatient oral chemotherapy
- Outpatient IV bolus chemotherapy
- Day Care infusional chemotherapy
- Inpatient 24-hour chemotherapy
Follow-up Patients
Short term follow-up (until 5 years off treatment) up until the age of 18. Care is then transferred at the age of 18 for patients on follow-up typically to the Long Term Follow-Up Clinic and for patients on treatment to the site-specific team and The Teenage & Young Adult (TYA) Service at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. Where appropriate, local follow up will also be arranged with adult services for continued disease surveillance.
Long-term follow-up (more than 5 years off treatment) up to the age of 16 with transition to the long term follow up clinic at Birmingham children’s hospital between 16 and 18 years and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham from the age of 18 years, using the “Ready, Steady, Go” Framework.
Palliative Care
The oncology service also provides palliative care to children with progressive malignant disease, including end of life care with the PTC – Birmingham Children’s Hospital. This is in partnership according to individual patient care requirements, and the availability of the children’s community nursing team and support from Hope House Children’s Hospice.