Alex Kingston thanks OUH teams on BBC Radio 5 Live for 'compassionate, excellent care'

Actress Alex Kingston has publicly thanked two Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) clinicians — for the "warm, sensitive and incredible care" she received during treatment for womb cancer.

Alex was speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's special day of programming marking World Cancer Day, which included a tribute to the You, Me and The Big C podcast.

While discussing her diagnosis and treatment, she described the exceptional support she experienced at OUH – particularly from Dr Christina Pappa, Consultant Gynaecologist with interest in Gynaecological Oncology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and Dr Sally Trent, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Churchill Hospital.

Alex said: "Everybody was incredibly warm and sensitive. I was fully aware of the journey I was going to go on and assured there would be support the entire way. I was just in awe of all the medics that I met."

Alex highlighted the role of her clinical team, naming Christina and Sally as the people who had made the biggest difference to her during treatment, both of whom were secretly invited to the programme to surprise her.

Alex added: "For me, 100% my surgeon, Dr Christina Pappa, and my oncologist, Dr Sally Trent — they're great. Dr Pappa has a wonderful bedside manner and is amazingly sympathetic. Dr Sally is very different, quite held at first, but she listens, she’s supportive, and I like her enormously."

She also praised the specialist nursing team who supported her throughout radiotherapy, joking about bringing weekly doughnut deliveries to thank them.

When Alex realised her clinicians were present there virtually, she became emotional and said: "You are my team. You’ve just been amazing."

OUH Clinicians respond

Dr Sally Trent said that it had been a privilege to care for Alex: "I think you were a real inspiration to the team, Alex. Everyone loved watching you on Strictly and all that you were able to achieve. It's been fantastic to work with you along this route."

She emphasised how individual each cancer journey is and the importance of providing information in a way that suits each patient.

Dr Christina Pappa highlighted the importance of body awareness and early help‑seeking: "Alex is a great example of why we must all listen to our bodies. If something doesn't feel right, speak to a healthcare professional. Behind every patient there is a whole team: doctors, specialist nurses, junior doctors, and the wider multidisciplinary team — working above and beyond to offer optimal care."

A message for others

Alex ended the segment by encouraging people not to dismiss symptoms:

“If you feel something isn’t quite right, talk to a doctor. People worry about wasting doctors’ time, but something small might end up being something really quite major. It’s always worth checking.”

OUH is grateful to Alex for sharing her experience and for recognising the dedication of our clinical teams. Listen to the whole segment on BBC 5 Live from 2:37:34 – 2:59:29.