Welcome to the Teenage and Young Adult Service : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This page is about our Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Service and what you can expect from the team caring for you.

We know that being diagnosed with cancer can make you feel lost and overwhelmed. You may be wondering what happens next, how your life will change, and who will help you through it all.

We hope that this page answers some of your questions. If there’s anything else you’d like to know, speak to the team looking after you.

Our Teenage and Young Adult Service is a specialist treatment centre for young people with cancer aged 13 to 24. We care for young people with different types of cancer and offer various treatments.

A team of healthcare professionals will care for you and support you through your treatment. We call this group the multidisciplinary team (MDT). It includes experts in different areas of medicine and care, such as doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.

Your first point of contact will be your key worker. This is usually a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) who is trained to treat young people with your type of cancer. Your key worker will coordinate your care, and support you and your family at every step of the way.

Advanced nurse practitioners

Advanced nurse practitioners are specialist cancer nurses who will be directly involved in your care and treatment.

Young Lives vs Cancer social workers

Young Lives vs Cancer social workers offer emotional, financial and practical support after a cancer diagnosis. They will help you to carry on with everyday life as much as possible during treatment and recovery.

Youth support coordinators

Youth support coordinators offer activities to help you pass the time and cope better during your hospital stay. They will also help to prepare you for treatments, and support you if you’re feeling anxious or worried.

Teachers

Our teachers offer educational support to help you keep up with coursework. They will work with your school or college to make sure you don’t fall behind. If you need help applying for jobs or courses, they can refer you to a Connexions adviser. For more information about the Connexions Service, speak to one of our teachers.

Psych-oncology team

Cancer can affect your emotional and mental wellbeing, and it’s normal to feel a range of emotions. Our psych-oncology team are here to support you and your family, and help you make sense of what’s happening. There’s more information about the psych-oncology team on our website.

Physiotherapists

Our physiotherapists help with physical problems caused by your illness or treatment. They will work with you to stay independent and get back to your usual activities.

Dietitians

Our dietitians can support you if you are having trouble eating or drinking during or after treatment. They will give you advice on nutrition and help to make sure your diet is right for you before, during and after treatment.

Occupational therapists

Our occupational therapists can help you to stay independent and carry on with your daily activities as much as possible during and after treatment. They can help you to return to school, work or daily routines. And advise you on managing fatigue, relaxation and specialised rehabilitation.

Your MDT will meet to plan your treatment and will talk to you and your family about what they recommend. It’s important that you understand what your treatment involves, so feel free to ask your team any questions.

You will also get written information about your diagnosis and treatment to help you make decisions about your care. If there is anything you don’t understand, or if you have any questions about the information, ask the team looking after you.

You will receive care either as an inpatient or an outpatient.

If you are an inpatient, it means you will stay in hospital overnight. You will be on a ward in either the main hospital building (the Tower) or the Grafton Way Building (GWB):

T12 North (for ages 13 to 19)
T13 North (for patients 20 and older with cancer)
GWB3 North (for patients 20 and older with blood conditions).

Wards T12 North and GWB3N are specially designed for young people and offer:

Plasma TV in each room
Internet access
A kitchen for you and your family to make drinks or heat meals
A social area where you can spend time with people your age
An extra bed so someone close to you can stay overnight.

Depending on your care needs, you may be able to have some or all of your treatment as an outpatient. If you are an outpatient, you will not have to stay in hospital overnight. Instead, you will be treated in the Teenage and Young Adult Specialist Unit on the third floor of the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre. The unit has outpatient care, daycare and ambulatory care.

There is more information about Teenage and Young Adult Ambulatory Care Service on our website.

The unit also has a large recreational area, known as the hub. The hub has been designed with young people and includes computers, gym equipment, a social space, a pool table, and more.

Teenage Cancer Trust

Young Lives vs Cancer

Macmillan Support and Information Service

Ground floor University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

Tel: 020 3447 8663 or 020 3447 3816