Preparing for treatment

What to expect before treatment begins, the questions worth asking, and how to get ready at home.

5 min read From our care team

Before your first appointment

A little preparation makes your first appointment easier. Try to bring:

Your identity document
Any referral letter you have
All your imaging and test results
A written list of the medicines you take now, including any supplements or herbal remedies
A note of any allergies you have

Having these to hand helps your team understand your situation quickly and avoid delays.

Questions worth asking

It helps to arrive with your questions ready. You might ask:

What is the goal of this treatment?
How long will it last, and what does a typical session involve?
What side effects are common, and how are they managed?
How might treatment affect my daily life, work or family?
Who do I call if a problem comes up between appointments?

Writing the answers down, or bringing someone to listen with you, makes them easier to remember.

Getting ready at home

A few simple steps at home can make treatment days gentler:

Arrange transport, and someone to help you on treatment days
Prepare a comfortable place to rest
Stock easy meals and snacks that need little or no cooking
Keep a simple notebook for your symptoms and the times you take your medicines

Who to contact, and when

Keep your team's phone numbers somewhere easy to find — both the daytime and the out-of-hours numbers.

For everyday questions and side effects, your team is there to help. But for a sudden, severe change — such as a high fever, difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding or fainting — do not wait. Call 103 straight away.

This guide offers general information and does not replace your personal care plan. Talk through your questions with your doctor or nurse. In an emergency, call 103.