Our Rapid Diagnostics Centre offers fast access to advanced imaging, specialist clinics and on-site testing - helping you get clarity in days, not weeks. Plus, our 24/7 private GP service is here whenever you need urgent advice.
As a charitable hospital, we reinvest in exceptional care, research and innovation - helping us improve healthcare for patients here and far beyond our walls.
Your Patient Hub brings together everything you need to prepare for your visit, understand your care and know what to expect throughout your stay.
22 January 2026
A generous donation has been made to The London Clinic to purchase vein finder devices for cancer wards, improving comfort for patients whose veins can be difficult to access due to treatments such as chemotherapy.
Pictured: Cancer care nurses Violeta O’Hara, Melissa Calaoa, Keshia Gayao
The funding will also enable the clinic to introduce cancer care communication training for staff at the hospital and support The London Clinic to align with the nationally recognised Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development (ACCEND) Framework. The framework represents a gold standard for excellence in cancer care and highlights communication as a core element of patient-centred practice and professional development.
Kelly Kent, Director of Philanthropy at The London Clinic said, “As a charity, donations make an extraordinary difference to the experience of our patients and the care we provide. Thanks to this generous support, we are strengthening our approach to compassionate cancer care to better address the physical and emotional needs of our patients and build the skills and confidence of our staff. Philanthropy plays a key role in helping us go further for every person who comes through our doors.”
Vein finder devices are small, portable devices which use near-infrared light to create a clear image of veins beneath the skin, making it significantly easier for clinicians to locate suitable veins on the first attempt.
Using vein finders reduces the number of attempts to access a vein, and minimises the risk of complications such as haematomas, nerve damage, blood clots and consequential treatment delays, which is particularly impactful for cancer patients who are already vulnerable or immunocompromised.
Tonya Klopper, Chief Nurse, said, “For many patients receiving cancer treatment, procedures like blood tests, cannulas, or IVs are a regular and sometimes distressing part of their journey. Vein finders make it easier and quicker for nurses to insert a needle, especially in patients whose veins are difficult to access due to chemotherapy or past treatments. This technology reduces pain, protects patients’ dignity, and allows nurses to deliver care with greater confidence.”
The introduction of the Advanced Communications Simulation Training programme will offer staff immersive, simulated scenarios with trained actors and will be delivered in partnership with Maudsley Learning, part of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and home to the world’s first dedicated mental health simulation centre.
The course also strengthens understanding of trauma-informed communication, grief models and multidisciplinary working, while supporting staff wellbeing by addressing the impact of emotionally demanding clinical encounters, including vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and moral injury.
A Trustee from the Foundation explained “Our Foundation is delighted to support The London Clinic in its efforts to enhance cancer care. By funding both the introduction of vein finder devices and communication training for staff, we hope to contribute to care that combines clinical excellence with compassion, ensuring patients receive both the highest standards of treatment and the compassion they deserve.”
Andie Guy, Head of Nursing Operations for Cancer and Palliative Care, added: “Investing in Advanced Communication Skills training will give our multidisciplinary teams the expertise to navigate complex and psychologically challenging conversations with compassion and a patient-centred approach. It enhances the patient experience, supports coordinated decision-making across teams, and strengthens staff wellbeing by building confidence, reducing moral distress, and enabling sustainable, high-quality cancer care.”
As the UK’s largest independent charitable hospital, our purpose is to advance healthcare for the benefit of all. Through the generosity of our donors, we are helping to shape the future of medicine and ensure exceptional care is always within reach.
If you would like to learn more about The London Clinic or explore how you can support our work, please contact: philanthropy@thelondonclinic.co.uk.
