London Specialty School of Clinical Oncology

Our mission is to train consultant clinical oncologists to provide the highest standard of patient care in the UK.

By focusing on the latest drug and radiotherapy treatments, encouraging research, and emphasising the importance of teamwork, we ensure our trainees are equipped to meet the needs of a diverse healthcare population and the challenges posed by an ever-evolving health service.

Why choose this school?

The London Specialty School of Clinical Oncology offers dynamic and challenging training to over 120 trainees at 14 leading hospitals throughout London and the south east.

Our progressive programmes are designed to cover all aspects of the specialty. Practical experience is gained in treatment planning for radiotherapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy and immunotherapy as well as palliative care and the managerial aspects of providing a cancer service. At the same time there is formal training in radiation physics, pharmacology, statistics, cell biology, radiobiology and pathology.

Trainees are taught to communicate effectively through integration in teams of specialist nurses, radiographers, physicists, surgeons and other clinicians from the outset. We also encourage research through clinical trials or translational research.

Who is the head?

Disclaimer The views expressed in these clips are individual perspectives and were correct at the time of filming. They should be understood as personal opinions. All information regarding the recruitment process and trainee pathway were correct at the time of filming. The Deanery either owns all images included or has been kindly granted permission for use.

Dr Jeanette Dickson is the Head of the London / KSS Specialty School of Clinical Oncology. This post is appointed jointly with the Royal College of Radiologists. Jeanette is a consultant clinical oncologist at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (part of East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust) where she is also a clinical tutor and clinical director of cancer services. She was previously Training Programme Director of the North Thames rotation and remains chair of the Specialist Training Committee.

Jeanette has a major interest in the management of lung cancer and the radiotherapy of lymphoma. She also has a major interest in and commitment to improving medical education.

Our programmes

Our training programmes rotate across five regions in London and the south east of England:

• North: North Middlesex University Hospital, Royal Free Hospital, Mount Vernon Hospital, University College London Hospital
• West: Charring Cross & Hammersmith Hospital
• East: Queen’s Hospital (BHR Trust), St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Southend Hospital
• South East: Royal Sussex County Hospital, Guy’s & St Thomas' Hospital, Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Maidstone General Hospital
• South West: Royal Marsden Hospital (Fulham & Sutton), Royal Sussex County Hospital, Royal Surrey County Hospital

Expected programme completion time is five years. Trainees are assessed through the Fellowship Examination of The Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR).

FRCR part I, covering the basic cancer sciences of radiation physics, pharmacology, statistics, cell biology and radiobiology, is sat from the first year of specialist training. FRCR part II, needed to progress to years 4 and 5, deals with the basic management of malignant diseases. Years 4 and 5 allow trainees to broaden their experience while providing time for research and opportunities to develop their management skills.

Trainees will usually stay on their appointed rotation for the first three years. At the end of year 3, they will be re-interviewed at a year 4/5 matching process.

Find out more

To find out more about training in clinical oncology, visit the Royal College of Radiologists.