Leaders in Oncology Care (LOC), one of the UK’s largest providers of systemic anti-cancer therapies, is marking its 20th anniversary this year. Since opening its doors in 2005, LOC has become synonymous with excellence in oncology treatment, providing thousands of patients with world-leading, personalised cancer care across London, Manchester and Birmingham.
LOC was founded two decades ago by four oncologists to provide high-quality private cancer care in London. With a focus on cutting-edge, best practice treatment that is centred on not just the patient’s disease but their individual holistic needs, LOC is a practice that has gone on to become the gold standard in cancer care.
LOC, part of HCA Healthcare UK, has always maintained its founding vision and continues to partner with leading cancer consultants. Since partnering with HCA UK, it has grown to seven centres across England that play a vital role in complex and systemic anti-cancer therapies, bringing together leading consultants to deliver excellent multidisciplinary care, which is holistic and patient centred.
The centres combine world-class clinical expertise with game-changing treatments and supportive care. This includes established treatments like chemotherapy, new breakthrough immunotherapies and more recently, bispecific antibody therapies for both blood cancer and solid tumours, significantly expanding their clinical application. Genomic testing through HCA UK’s in-house labs means that experts at LOC have insights into the biology, make-up and behaviour of certain tumours and can offer patients precision-driven and personalised treatment options.
The expert teams at LOC – including oncologists, haematologists, pharmacists, and specialist nurses – work collaboratively to ensure that every patient receives tailored treatment, from diagnosis through to aftercare. To date, they have supported and changed the lives of thousands of patients, through:
· Access to the latest treatments: Patients have access to breakthrough cancer therapies often before they are accessible elsewhere. Specialists at LOC have the flexibility to use approved medicines in innovative ways where it could benefit a patient’s care, implementing the highest standards of governance and safety, whilst ensuring the best possible treatment options are available at the earliest opportunity.
· Access to clinical trials: HCA UK are proud to be the only private healthcare provider in the UK to operate a dedicated clinical trials facility, the Sarah Cannon Research Institute UK (SCRI), to advance medicine and improve the lives of people with cancer. LOC consultants work closely with the team at SCRI to identify open clinical trials and assess suitability for individual patients, either through our standalone research institute located on Harley Street or within our LOC treatment suites.
· Personalised care plans: LOC’s ethos of patient-centred care ensures that patients feel seen, heard and supported. With a dedicated team of allied health professionals and complementary therapists providing expert care, LOC helps patients to deal with both the physical, emotional and psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Amen Sibtain, Consultant Oncologist & Medical Director: “When LOC was founded 20 years ago, the vision was simple but profound — to bring together leading specialists and put patients at the heart of everything we do. From the very first day, our focus has been on delivering world-class, personalised cancer care within an environment where patients and their families feel safe, supported, and genuinely cared for. Two decades later, I’m proud that this founding ethos remains as strong as ever, continuing to evolve through innovation, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping every patient live well through and beyond cancer.”
