Acute Oncology Services (AOS) provide urgent advice and specialist care for patients undergoing systemic anti-cancer treatment who experience side effects, become suddenly unwell because of their treatment, or due to their cancer.
The service operates a 24 hour emergency helpline which provides urgent advice and support to patients that are unwell or worried about their symptoms.
When you should call
Complications of anti-cancer treatment are potentially life threatening. This includes neutropenic sepsis, which is a medical emergency and should be treated urgently.
If you develop a temperature of 37.5C or above, have flu-like symptoms, experience shivers/chills or feel unwell, immediately contact the 24-hour emergency help line.
If you are experiencing any other symptoms which include:
- sore throat
- sore/ulcerated mouth
- rashes
- uncontrolled nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- pain
- reduced oral intake
- excessive bruising or bleeding
- fatigue
please contact the emergency helpline. If you feel unwell, always seek advice, even if the symptoms are not mentioned on this page.
What will happen when you call
A trained nurse will ask you about your symptoms and previous medical history.
To help us, please have the following available:
- your hospital identification/NHS number
- a working adult thermometer as you will be asked your temperature during the assessment
You will be advised on the immediate steps (e.g. advice regarding medications, organise prescriptions, contacting your oncology team, community services or calling 999)
If needed, they will organise urgent assessment in hospital. This may be via HOT clinic, a designated assessment area, same day emergency care units, medical assessment units or emergency departments.
In busy periods, your call may be forwarded to a voicemail service. Please leave a clear voicemail providing the following information:
- your full name
- hospital number/NHS number or date of birth
- your contact number
We aim to call you back within 15 minutes. If you don’t receive a call back from the team within that time, please call again.
When not to call the emergency helpline
- Prescription renewals
- Appointment changes (please contact patient bookings)
- Transport queries
- Scan or blood results (unless advised by the AOS team to do so)
- Call transfers to other departments or staff members
Last reviewed: 10 December 2025