Advice after your nerve block for surgery
On this page…
Introduction
We are your Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit (POSCU). Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust incorporates two acute hospitals, Frimley Park and Wexham Park. You/your child will be cared for by the POSCU at Wexham Park Hospital.
We work very closely with your main/principle treatment centre (PTC). This may be the Children’s Hospital in Oxford or one of the London Hospitals. Shared care means that we look after you/your child with the specialist team, some care will be delivered in specialist centres, some here, closer to home.
This leaflet outlines the care and support we can offer here at Wexham Park and should be read in addition to your shared care diary.
Clinics
We have a weekly Haematology / Oncology clinic on a Thursday afternoon for children receiving treatment. The staff members who are present in the clinic are the lead and deputy lead clinicians for the POSCU Dr Johanna Aspel and Dr Kate Gardner, and our Nurse Specialists Danielle Hiscox and Rachel Cahill. This means that in clinic your child will be seen by familiar team members.
The doctors cover for each other during periods of leave and other clinical duties. Rachel Cahill deputises for Danielle Hiscox and they work very closely together.
There is a monthly follow up clinic, which runs on a Thursday morning; this is the clinic that your child will attend once treatment has finished. It is likely that follow up appointments will be shared between the PTC and the local team. Dr Aspel runs this clinic.
After each clinic appointment, a letter will be sent to your consultant at the PTC, to your GP and to your home, summarizing the clinic appointment and treatment plans and progress.
Dr Shaun Wilson, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist from the PTC in Oxford, attends the clinic at Wexham Park every four months. Dr Amrana Qureshi, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist, attends every 6 months.
Your/your child’s treatment plan, progress or concerns are discussed weekly, both in Oxford and at Wexham Park’s multidisciplinary team meeting.
There is dedicated Pharmacy support to the POSCU. Our pharmacist will liaise with children and families through treatment to ensure access to scheduled treatments and medications.
Supportive Care
Bone marrow suppression (particularly importantly, neutropenia) is a potentially serious side effect of chemotherapy. If your child has a fever when neutropenic (Febrile Neutropenia), this must be treated as a priority. It is essential that intravenous antibiotics are started promptly, and within an hour of reaching hospital. Therefore, it is important to have a local hospital that you can access quickly.
We offer supportive care at Wexham Park throughout treatment. For children/young people this is offered on the paediatric ward, Ward 24. We have single cubicles on the ward that you will stay in should admission be needed. We can arrange time in the playroom on an individual basis each day. (Please ask the nurse looking after you about this)
Supportive care may mean blood product support (blood or platelets) or simply a clinical review at times when your child is unwell, or you have concerns.
Open Access
Open access means that you can phone ward 24 at any time if you have concerns. You can then come to the ward and be seen without having to go through your GP or the emergency department. It is always important to phone us before you come so that the team on the ward are aware.
Ward 24: 0300 615 4624 / 0300 615 4623
Paediatric Assessment Unit: 0300 615 4616
Bringing Hospital Services to you at Home
Key Worker
Danielle Hiscox and Rachel Cahill will be your key workers at Wexham Park Hospital. They will take the key role in coordinating care, promoting continuity of care and ensuring you know who to access for information, advice, and support. This can be delivered both in the hospital and at home.
They can be contacted on 0300 615 5719
Named Nurse
Your named nurse, who will be with you for the duration of treatment, will come to your home to take blood samples, flush central venous catheters (Hickman line or portacath) and change any dressings. There are times when it may be appropriate for treatments to be given at home, such as intravenous antibiotics and possibly chemotherapy (Cytarabine).
Your named nurse can be contacted on 0300 615 4617
Psychology
Dr Juliet Kennedy is our clinical psychologist. She is an important member of the team.
Dr Kennedy works part time but is usually present in the weekly clinic. She will also see children and families outside of clinic times, usually at Wexham Park or remotely through video meetings. You can ask any member of the team if you would like to see Dr Kennedy.
Social Care
Due to the close working relationship that we share with the PTC we can offer social work support from the team based in Oxford. (Young Lives against Cancer)
You can ask your key worker or named nurse if you wish to access this service.
Other Members of the Team
We consider the whole nursing and medical team on Ward 24 and in clinic as integral to you/your child’s care. We can access support from physiotherapy and dietetics as needed.
Charity Support
We are extremely fortunate to be supported by local charities. This support comes in many forms such as help with transportation to appointments, sibling activities, mothers’ pampering sessions, respite care, along with parties and other activities for all the family.
There are national charities that may be able to help with things such as holidays or days out as a family. Please ask your key worker for details.
As a team, we are here to help and support you through this journey. Please feel free to ask any member of the team if you have any questions.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Paediatrics service.
About this information
Service:
Paediatrics
Reference:
P/011
Approval date:
26 January 2026
Review date:
1 January 2029
Click ‘show accessibility tools’ at the bottom of the page
Then click ‘select language’
Alternative formats
You can use the accessibility toolbar at the bottom of your screen to:
-
Change the text size
-
Adjust the font
-
Modify the colour contrast
-
Use the translate function
If you would like this information in another format, such as Braille, audio, or easy read, please speak to a member of staff.
You can also print as well as download as PDF using the “Print this page” button at the end of the page.
Staff will print a copy for you on request
Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.