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[Dancinggirl]

Hi everyone

Does anyone have, or know of, any accommodation near the Royal Marsden Hospital? I live on the Suffolk coast and the daughter of a friend of mine has just been diagnosed with a type of Acute Leukemia. 
This poor girl was away at university and had been suffering with awful stomach pain and unable to keep food down for over a year.  The GPs she saw near her university just dismissed her as being anorexic - when she finally had a scan they found a large cancerous growth in her bowel, so she's had major surgery already and she now weighs around 6 stone.   This 21 year old girl is facing gruelling chemo (the consultants are still unsure whether anything is going to work)  - so she and her mum need to find accommodation near the Marsden so she can have the treatment that ‘might' save her.

Can I ask you lovely ladies to put feelers out to see if there is anything suitable in or around the Sutton area that could be rented or if anyone has any ideas about how to find somewhere.  I don't think they qualify for the very limited accommodation the Foundation has on offer - I expect that is for families of children.
Thanks DG x

[CLKD]

Is there accommodation provided by the Hospital other than Foundation for over-night/long term ?  Some are linked to Charities who provide flats close by.  Maybe ring the Chemotherapy Dept on their behalf and ask.  I don't think that these types of accommodation are age-led.

Is there a PALS-type group that liaise with families?  Should be on the Royal Marsden web-site. 

Dreadful story.  Hopefully something *will* work.  Again, a situation where the medical profession has dismissed a patient 

They may find that small hotels will offer cheaper rates for several night stays.  Look at the local tourist information web-site 'accommodation' lists. 

Do they have a caravan?  Is there a camp site where they could park up?  Check the Caravan Club and others to find out. Some remain open 12 months long.  Mobile home parks often have 'lets' either managed by the owners of the static vans or by the Park Management on behalf of the owners. 

[Taz2]

It will be worth phoning the number on the website as they also have a list of hotels nearby. Phone and ask for advice?

Taz x

[CLKD]

There are several CC/Motorhome sites in the location.  They could have a look-see if they don't own a 'van and contact the Wardens and explain their situation.  There may be owners who would lend space ...... if you don't ask you don't get and campers are on the whole, a friendly lot.  There maybe a local FaceBook group too.

[AgathaC]

The RM is just off a roundabout in Banstead, in the London Borough of Sutton. The nearest hotel would be the Holiday Inn in Sutton, I think. Expensive and not that nice. There's a Premier Inn on the Purley Way which is about 25 minutes drive and is much, much cheaper. But I don't think that these would have the right ambience for your friend and her poor daughter. I think CLKD is right that you should ask the hospital what they recommend in this instance. An Air BNB might suit. I would go for Banstead rather than Sutton. Would be much less expensive and potentially a home environment. Or if funds are available there are tons of conventional rentals around there, although even a small 1 bedroom would cost £700+ per month, with all the other bills. Sincerely hope that things work out for your friend and her daughter xx

[Dancinggirl]

Thank you for the thoughts and ideas - you have come up with some good options to try. I will pass the info on to my friend - she is a very resourceful lady  - the one good thing I know is that this poor girl has a mum who is very positive and proactive - I'm just desperate to help if I can. DG x

[CLKD]

Of course you are wanting to help.  Would they want to drive/park would a taxi be better as the Mum will have a lot on her mind, leave alone driving in traffic! 

I had another idea but it's gone  ........  oh, Golf Clubs may have accommodation.  One that we do sport at has a Hotel on site ........ might be another source to see if any Members have a annex at their property if the Club won't rent a room.

Theatres in the area who may have a list of lodgings that performers stay at?    Youth Hostel?

[CLKD]

Church group in her area who may have friends/relatives near The Marsden?  Even if not a Church goer, asking would come under pastoral care.

[Ladybt28]

What about phoning the Macmillan Cancer Charity?  To be honest I think they will have dedicated people inside the Royal Marsden seeing as it is a specialist cancer hospital. They will be able to advise where people stay or what happens when people are having treatment at the hospital but don't live within easy travelling distance.  There will be plenty of people going to the Royal Marsden who have been in this position.  They may even have building which they use as "patient hotels".  Great Ormond Street hospital for example has a couple for patients and patients families.  The Royal Marsden probably also have a Patient Liason as CLKD says.

[Katejo]

What about phoning the Macmillan Cancer Charity?  To be honest I think they will have dedicated people inside the Royal Marsden seeing as it is a specialist cancer hospital. They will be able to advise where people stay or what happens when people are having treatment at the hospital but don't live within easy travelling distance.  There will be plenty of people going to the Royal Marsden who have been in this position.  They may even have building which they use as "patient hotels".  Great Ormond Street hospital for example has a couple for patients and patients families.  The Royal Marsden probably also have a Patient Liason as CLKD says.

   How very sad!  These suggestions sound like a good starting point. The Royal Marsden must be used to receiving such enquiries. There may be a team of volunteers who can point you in the right direction.

[Taz2]

There is a phone number on their site specifically for this purpose I believe?

Taz x

[JaneinPen]

Is your friend a W.I member or you? They would certainly help and for sure a W.I lady in the area would help with letting them stay or will certainly know others that could give them a more comfortable option

[Dancinggirl]

Thanks again to you all. There have some great suggestions and I'll be passing them on to my friend and her daughter. DG x

[CLKD]

Good Luck!   

[JaneinPen]

Good luck. Keep us posted