Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Royal Marsden a private hospital?
No. It is an NHS Foundation Trust, but like many other NHS hospitals The Royal Marsden does offer some private treatments.

How can I get referred to The Royal Marsden?
If your GP thinks that you need to be referred to see a cancer specialist, you can choose any NHS Foundation Trust in England through the extended choice network. Therefore, regardless of where you live, you have the right to see one of The Royal Marsden's world-class experts on cancer. If you would like to be treated as a private patient, you can arrange to be referred here by your family doctor or other consultants involved in your care. Alternatively, you may wish to refer yourself. Letters of referral can be sent direct to the consultant or via the Private Patient Customer Services Manager. For more information about the extended choice network, please visit www.nhs.uk

What is a Foundation Trust?
A Foundation Trust is a new type of hospital which is independent from the Department of Health and run on a ‘not-for-profit’ basis. Foundation Trusts have the freedom to decide how to organise their services to best meet local needs. They are accountable to their local community, patients and staff, who all have the right to become members of the Trust. Finally, they are regulated by Monitor, an independent body, rather than the Department of Health.

What does that mean for The Royal Marsden?
The Royal Marsden is still an NHS hospital and provides high quality cancer care free and not on ability to pay. Our new status, however, allows us the freedom to make things happen more quickly and effectively than before. Significant progress has been made on our five-year strategy, with two out of five new theatres completed and the new radiotherapy suite in Sutton now open.