Maintaining cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic

The North Central London Cancer Alliance worked closely with trusts to develop a surgical hub, which provides protected capacity for cancer surgery during the pandemic. University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street has been the primary site but private facilities in central London have also been used.

A large proportion of cancer surgery was centralised to the hub and a clinical prioritisation group ensures that patients are treated in order of clinical need. By doing this the north central London area has been able to maintain vital cancer surgery throughout the pandemic.

Early collection of data about COVID-19 infection rates at the Westmoreland Street site provided evidence that it is possible to keep surgical pathways safe from COVID-19 infection. The research is published here.