Many people will be involved in the care of your child both at home in the community and whilst in hospital. Some of them are described below. Although you will not meet all of them, you will probably come into contact with many of them including the staff in the hospital outpatients department.

General practitioner
Your own family doctor may have been the first to suspect that there was something seriously wrong with your child, and will have referred you to a specialist. Since childhood cancer is very rare, your general practitioner cannot possibly know all the details of diagnosis and treatment. You may like to show him a copy of this booklet so that he is aware of the information that you have received. Your hospital doctors will write regularly to keep your GP up to date with your child's progress.

Paediatric oncologist
Paediatric oncologists are doctors who have chosen to specialise in children's cancer.

Ward doctor
In the hospital you will meet specialist registrars and senior house officers (SHOs). Most of the tests and treatment are done by these doctors under the supervision of the senior doctors.

Nurse
The Sister or Charge Nurse is in charge of the ward. Staff nurses, student nurses and health care assistants work under the Sister / Charge Nurse's direction. There may be a specialist nurse in your hospital who works only with children who have cancer. Community nurses may also be available to visit your child at home.

Surgeon
Surgeons carry out operations. They may take a biopsy (remove a piece of tissue from the tumour for examination under the microscope) and / or remove the whole tumour. They also put in central lines.

Haematologist
Haematologists are doctors who specialise in blood disorders (including leukaemias and lymphomas). They work in the laboratory examining samples of blood and also on the ward looking after patients.

Radiotherapist
Radiotherapists are doctors who have specialised in radiation treatment. Your child's course of radiotherapy will be planned by a radiotherapist and given by radiographers.

Radiologist
Radiologists use x-rays and other scans to get pictures of the body which they can then interpret.

Social worker
Social Workers help with practical, emotional and financial problems that can arise. The Sargent Cancer Care Fund provides social workers who care specifically for children with cancer and their families.

Psychologist
A psychologist may be able to help children who have difficulties with behaviour or learning during their treatment.

Dietician
Dieticians look after the nutritional needs of your child during treatment.

Pharmacist
The pharmacist is responsible for preparing and dispensing the drugs your child receives. They are based in the hospital pharmacy department and may visit the ward.

Play therapist
Play therapists are trained to help children cope with the experience of being ill and in hospital by using play.