Finding us and getting around
The Edinburgh Cancer Centre is based at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, with services also delivered at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.
where to find us
parking
If you are driving to the Cancer Centre, you should enter the via the Telford Road Entrance. You can then follow the signage to car park 6. This is manned by a car park attendant 07.30 – 15.00 who will guide you to the most suitable parking space. Patients may be asked to show their appointment card or letter – this is to ensure appropriate use of the car parks in this area as most are reserved for Cancer Centre patients. Visitors to the Centre visitors should, between 04.00 and 16.00, use car parks 1&2 via the Porterfield Road entrance.
The car park attendants are NHS staff and are bound by the same confidentiality as all NHS Lothian staff.
Renal patients will be given access to car park 4 for parking and drop off/pick up.
Blue badge holders
Spaces are available in the following areas
- Hospital Main Drive near car park 6 entrance, D Block front doors, Edinburgh Cancer Centre entrance and Inverleith Building.
- The front of the Anne Ferguson Building, accessed from Porterfield Road. This is barrier controlled
- Car parks 2,3 & 4.
Please note blue badge spaces are very busy and are not always available. Please allow some time to find suitable parking.
Car parking availability
Spaces are available in the following areas
- 1 – Patient & visitors carpark on Porterfeild Road
- 2 – Patient & visitors carpark on Porterfeild Road
- 3 – Blue badge carpark on Telford Road
- 4 – Renal & ECC patients carpark on Telford Road
- 6 – Renal & ECC patients carpark on Telford Road
- 8 – SDEC & DOSA patients carpark on Telford Road
- Barrier 11 – Blue badge carpark on Porterfeild Road
public transport
Travelling by Bus
The Western General Hospital site can be accessed by a number of buses throughout
the city and beyond; services include Lothian bus numbers 19, 29, 37, 47 and 38
For up to date public transport information or to plan your journey please check:
Lothian Buses: https://www.lothianbuses.com/live-travel-info/journey-planner/
First Bus: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/south-east-and-central-scotland/planjourney/journey-planner/
Travelling by Train:
If travelling from further afield, then you can get a train to Waverley Station, which is the main train station in Edinburgh. To travel onwards to Western General Hospital from here, we suggest taking Lothian Bus services 19, 29, 37, or 113.
cycling and walking routes
Cycling
Western General Hospital is located in the north-west of the city.
It is next to the North Edinburgh Path Network, a network of traffic-free converted railway lines that connect lots of different areas of the north of the city. If you’re coming from the Central Area, then the quietest route is to cycle to Haymarket, then join this path network at Roseburn.
Bike racks are available at all NHS Lothian hospitals and there is an excellent network of cycling routes across the city of Edinburgh and beyond. For more details of these, Spokes – the Lothian Cycle Network – has an excellent website, which includes maps for cyclists, which you will find at http://www.spokes.org.uk/spokes-maps/opens a new window
Cyclists, please note that bike locks are not provided at hospital sites and bikes and accessories are left at the owner’s risk.
We also have a full map of cycling routes and bike storage at the Western General Hospital
Walking
If you prefer to walk to hospital, you can get a route map between any two points (e.g. your home and the hospital) by visiting, the website at Route You – the route planneropens a new window.
If you decide to walk or cycle to hospital, please consider whether you will need to be accompanied on your return trip home.
taxis
There is a taxi rank along Entrance C, outside the Outpatient Department and Royal Victoria Building.
visiting hours
Ward and department visiting hours
- Cancer Assessment Unit – 1:00pm – 2:00pm and 7:00pm – 8:30pm daily
- Ward 1 – 4:00pm – 8:00pm daily
- Ward 2 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm and 5:00pm – 7:00pm daily
- Ward 3 – 2:30pm – 3:30pm and 6:00pm – 7:30pm daily
- Ward 6 – 2:00pm – 3:00pm and 6:30pm – 8:00pm daily
- Ward 8 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm and 7:00pm – 8:30pm daily
- Ward 8 Unit – 4:00pm – 8:00pm daily
- Ward 11 – 2:30pm – 3:30pm and 6:00pm – 7:30pm daily
You can find out more information on our Wards information page
other sites
Edinburgh Cancer Centre at St John’s Hospital
Some outpatient services are delivered at St John’s Hospital in Livingston. These are delivered in ward 15, a fully refurbished, comfortable area serving as a satellite unit for Edinburgh Cancer Centre.
On arrival at St John’s Hospital, you can make your way directly to ward 15, or ask for directions at the main reception desk, who will be happy to assist.
More information about St John’s can be found on the main NHS Lothian website: St Johns Hospital – Going to Hospital (nhslothian.scot)