What to do if I do not feel well?

What happens if I am unwell after treatment?

If you feel unwell, have a temperature, or need advice on chemotherapy side effects or complications – please call 01722 341930 immediately.

If it is an emergency you should phone 999.

If you are worried about your symptoms further to receiving treatment, then please view the following booklet from Cancer Research UK: Your Cancer Treatment Record Book - downloadable version.pdf

This booklet will be given to you when you start your Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment and highlights the severity of side effects, you could face due to your treatment. It may also help you determine when you need to speak to your medical team, our advice line or 999.

Checking your temperature

We follow UKONS guidance so recommend you phone if your temperature is below 36^oC or 37.5^oC and above. Please also check your temperature if you have symptoms of an infection or are feeling unwell.

A Nurse will assess your symptoms and give you advice. This may be to contact your GP or self help.

You may need to be seen by the Acute Oncology Team on Pembroke Suite who provide advice and assessment for oncology patients who have symptoms or start to feel unwell as a result of Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment (SACT) or cancer diagnosis.

Please click here for more information on the Acute Oncology Team.

What happens if I need admission to hospital?

Oncology patients are admitted under the General Medical Team through the Emergency Department, Acute Medical Unit or Same Day Emergency Care.

On arrival if you have a temperature you should make the Doctors and Nurses aware you are having Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment and may need antibiotics within 1 hour.

You will be assessed by a Doctor or Nurse and will likely need some investigations such as blood tests. Once the results are available, a decision will be made whether you can go home or need to stay in hospital. If you need to stay in hospital, you will be admitted to one of the medical wards and sometimes Pembroke Ward depending on your needs. Please visit our ‘Oncology services & departments’ page for information on the Pembroke Ward.

If you stay in hospital the Acute Oncology Team will see you on the ward and support the Medical Team to treat you (Monday to Friday). They will liaise with your Oncologists and ensure you have follow-up when you leave the hospital. If you are admitted out of hours, the Acute Oncology Team will review your admission and may contact you if required and liaise with your Oncologist.

The Trust

Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.