Johanna Blake was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer back in 2016. Five years on from receiving revolutionary cancer surgery, she is cancer free and feeling better than ever. Here she reflects on her treatment at the hospital and the expert care that helped her get to where she is today.
Cancer care
At The Harborne Hospital we combined expertise and person-centred approach ensures you receive and effective treatment plan that is personalised to you.
Here for you from diagnosis through to treatment and follow-up care
When you’re worried about potential cancer symptoms, we understand how important it is for you to get the answers you need as quickly as possible.
At The Harborne Hospital, Birmingham, we’re here to support you from the moment you arrive for your initial consultation. Your care will be led by experts, you’ll have rapid access to diagnostic tests and your results will be available in days. If you are diagnosed with cancer, you’ll have immediate access to a multidisciplinary team of experts and the latest treatment options.
Our specialist teams, innovative treatments and state-of-the-art facilities enable us to treat even the most rare and complex cancers.
Why choose The Harborne Hospital for your cancer care?
- Everything you need from one provider. Including tests and scans, a full breadth of cancer treatments and follow-up care.
- Fast access to care. You'll have fast access to a team of experts who can diagnose your symptoms without delay - appointments with a consultant expert are often available within 48 hours.
- Expert consultants. If you are diagnosed with cancer, you will have direct access to expert consultants who specialise in your type of cancer.
- New and innovative therapies. Including the latest drugs, targeted therapies and personalised medicine.
- Care, compassion and support. You’ll have a named clinical nurse specialist who will be your main contact and will work with the team to coordinate your care. You’ll also have access to the support of counsellors, psychologists, dieticians, physiotherapists, complementary therapists, and other experts who can provide personalised care.
- Genomic insights to guide a personalised treatment plan. The Harborne Hospital, Birmingham is a part of HCA Healthcare UK, which is the only private provider in the UK to run its own genomics lab. Genomic testing gives us a better understanding of the genetics driving your individual tumour, which helps us identify personalised medicine options designed to target it.
- The latest imaging and diagnostics Including CT, MRI, PET CT, and ultrasound.
- Clinical trials and innovative new drug therapies. Available at HCA UK’s dedicated research centre, Sarah Cannon Research Institute. Clinical trials can give access to new and emerging therapies at the earliest opportunity.
Expert multidisciplinary teams to cover all aspects of your treatment and wellbeing
At The Harborne Hospital your treatment and care will be led by a team of cancer experts known as a multidisciplinary team. Their goal will be to find the most effective treatment for you by working with you to understand your individual medical and personal needs, and combining your treatment and support into a personalised care plan.
Our multidisciplinary teams bring together expert consultant surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses and other healthcare professionals who are involved in your care and meet regularly to discuss your diagnosis and treatment plan. This means that your treatment is guided by a team of cancer specialists who use their combined knowledge and experience to recommend the most effective treatment options for your diagnosis.
Support that’s right for you
We take a person-centred approach to care, which means you can access the support that’s right for you at the time that’s right for you.
We know a cancer diagnosis and treatment is a life-changing experience for you and your family. We also know that everyone’s individual experience of cancer is different — so our priority is to make sure you get the very best treatment plan designed for your individual diagnosis and needs, while also offering support for you and your loved ones. This includes an assessment of your individual needs, care planning, well-being information and specialist support.
Our team of experts can look after all aspects of your wellbeing, including emotional support, nutritional advice and physiotherapy to help manage the physical side effects of treatment.
Our facilities and treatments
We’ve created a calm environment that’s focused on you. From when you first arrive and throughout your time with us, you’ll be cared for by experts and we’ll do everything we can to make you feel as comfortable and reassured as possible.
The Harborne Hospital, Birmingham can provide a full breadth of cancer care in one location — from screening, to diagnostics and treatment options, including: surgery, interventional radiology, the latest radiotherapy techniques, and anti-cancer therapies (chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapies).
We’re the first independent hospital in the region to invest in a da Vinci® Xi robot, which supports our surgeons to carry out minimally invasive surgery with greater flexibility and precision. Other benefits of robotic surgery include reduced post-operative pain, reduced risk of post-operative infection and a shorter hospital stay.
Our skilled surgeons can also carry out complex procedures such as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal cancers.
How we can help you
When you contact our team, we’ll make sure you speak to the right specialist or consultant as quickly as possible.
- If you’re worried about symptoms and need to see a specialist, we’ll guide you to the right consultant.
- If you’ve seen a GP and need a specialist to determine a diagnosis, we’ll recommend a consultant in the relevant specialty.
- If you have been recommended to see a surgeon or oncologist, we can direct you to the right subspecialist.
- If you have a diagnosis and need to see a consultant for a second opinion, we’ll connect you with an expert consultant who specialises in your type of cancer.
Patient stories
Johanna's story
Richard's impressive recovery
Richard shares his experience following his robotic prostate surgery
Lorraine's pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) cancer experience
Living with a rare peritoneal cancer - Lorraine's cancer experience
Book an appointment
Our team can help with any enquiries or you can make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.