Haematology

The haematology team offers care for patients with serious blood disorders including lymphoma, myeloma and leukaemia. We also see a wide range of general haematological conditions from anaemia to thrombosis.

About the service

The haematology service is provided by a team of four consulants, a specialist registrar and three specialist nurses.

The team offers care for patients with serious blood disorders including lymphoma, myeloma and leukaemia. We also see a wide range of general haematological conditions from anaemia to thrombosis.

We run daily clinics Monday to Thursday, seeing a mixture of new cases and follow up patients. Our inpatients are based on ward 27 and ward 14 and we offer specialist haematological advice throughout the hospital.

Ward 14 is currently closed for redevelopment. Please redirect all enquiries to ward 4.

Outpatient chemotherapy treatment is provided on the chemotherapy day unit here at the QE. This unit has excellent staff and facilities. Patients requiring more complex inpatient chemotherapy treatment are transferred either to our unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital or to our colleagues over at the Freeman Hospital.

The Haematology consultants work closely with the laboratory staff in the hospital staff in the hospital to ensure that blood tests are processed quickly and accurately. We provide telephone advice for GPs. We also work closely with the blood transfusion laboratory and transfusion nurse specialist to ensure safe transfusion practices across the QE.

What is Haematology?

Haematology is the division of Pathology which studies blood cells. Blood tests performed in this department provide information about the type, number and appearance of cells in the blood. The tests performed aid the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions which may include:

  • Anaemia
  • Leukaemia
  • Haemoglobinopathy
  • Haematological malignancies
  • Monitoring a patient’s response to chemotherapy
  • Monitoring anticoagulant therapy e.g.Warfarin

The department works closely with the Haematology Consultant staff who provide a number of out patient clinics as well offering clinical support to the laboratory.

What happens to your sample?

When a sample is received into the department all details are checked to ensure the sample is labelled correctly and that the corresponding request form contains the tests required by the Doctor. The sample is then given a unique barcode number and the sample is then sent to the appropriate section of the department for testing.

Due to the high number of specimens received every day, automated equipment is used to ensure the work is processed safely and efficiently. Results are then sent electronically to the requesting clinician after they have been authorised by a qualified Biomedical Scientist.

How to contact the service

Telephone 0191 445 2878