Clinical Haematology Service
The clinical haematology service looks after patients with a range of blood and bone marrow disorders, including haematology cancers. We provide out-patient and day case treatment in our clinics and Chemotherapy Suite in Gate 5b in the Brunel building, Southmead Hospital. We also have a small number of inpatient beds on Gate 27b, and support and advise staff and patients in other areas around the hospital.
We care for patients with haematological cancers including:
- Lymphomas.
- Leukaemias.
- Multiple Myeloma.
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms.
The treatments we offer include:
- Chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapies.
- Targeted therapies.
- Supportive care including blood and platelet transfusions.
We work closely with Medical Day Care, The Macmillan Wellbeing Centre, Acute Oncology, Palliative Care teams, and many others around the trust. We can refer you to dietitians, physiotherapy, psychology, wigs, and financial and benefits support.
Certain treatments like radiotherapy, stem cell transplants, and more intensive chemotherapy can only be given at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre in Bristol. We have good links with our colleagues there to ensure our patients have access to the most appropriate treatments.
Haematology clinics take place in Gate 5 every morning (except Thursday) and on Tuesday afternoons. We encourage you to bring someone with you to the clinic, especially if you are expecting to discuss significant test results or a treatment plan.
Certain specialist clinics take place at the same time every week but you may be asked to come on a different day sometimes depending on appointment availability. The specialist nurses may also offer you appointments at other times, often in the afternoon.
When you come to clinic it is very likely you will be asked to have a blood test. Sometimes (particularly in the myeloma clinic) it is useful to arrange to have the tests done at your GP surgery a few days before so that all the results are ready you see us.
In some cases you may be offered a phone appointment, which usually requires a blood test at your GP surgery. A phone appointment is similar way to a face-to-face clinic appointment and you need to be available for us to call you as close as possible to the appointment time.
Questions to ask
When you come to your haematology appointment, you may have a lot of questions. It is normal to find it difficult to remember things at the time of and after your appointment so here are some tips to help you.
Before your appointment
- Write down your most important questions.
- List or bring all your medicines and pills – including vitamins and supplements.
- Write down details of your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them better or worse.
- Ask your CNS team for an interpreter or communication support if needed.
- Ask a friend or family member to come with you, if you like.
During your appointment
- Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand. For example, 'can you say that again? I still don't understand.'?
- If you don't understand any words, ask for them to be written down and explained.
- Write things down or ask a family member or friend to take notes.
Ideas of questions to ask at the time of your appointment
- 'what's happening if I'm not sent my appointment details,' and 'can I have the results of any tests?'
- If you don't get the results when you expect – ask for them.
- Ask what the results mean.
Before you leave your appointment
- Ask who to contact if you have any more problems or questions.
- About support groups and where to go for reliable information.
After your appointment - don't forget the following
- Write down what you discussed and what happens next.
- Keep your notes.
Tests, such as blood tests or scans
- What are the tests for?
- How and when will I get the results?
- Who do I contact if I don't get the results?
What next?
- What happens next?
- Do I need to come and see you?
- Who do I contact if things get worse?
- Do you have and written information?
- Where can I go for more information?
- Are there any support groups or other sources of help?