General Information

The foundation trust provides outpatient, inpatient and day care haematology services (for blood disorders). The outpatient department is at Outpatients West at Bradford Royal Infirmary, level one.  For inpatients, ward seven and the day care unit form the Annette Fox Haematology Unit which is located on level one at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The haematology team  provide care for a wide range of malignant (cancerous) and non-malignant haematological conditions.  Much of the treatment required is complex, using intensive chemotherapy and specialist blood products.  The department has a particular interest in haematological cancer, haemophilia (when blood doesn’t ‘clot’ properly) and bleeding disorders and provides specialist services for congenital  bleeding disorders (present from birth), haemoglobinopathies (inherited disorders) and obstetric haematology (during pregnancy). 

The Annette Fox Leukaemia Research Fund, has kindly funded substantial developments including expansion of the day unit and the creation of the original haematology ward. The department has a keen interest in research taking part in many national clinical trials and links with Bradford University have been established. In July 2006 the unit started working with the haematology unit within Airedale NHS Trust. This multidisciplinary team working across the two sites provides specialist care for patients receiving the most complex chemotherapy, for acute leukaemia and complex lymphoma. This service is based on the Bradford Royal Infirmary site. All patients with haematological cancer have their case including results of investigations and proposed treatment reviewed by the multidisciplinary (made up of a range of different professionals) team.  Many areas of good practice within the collaboration were identified at the National Cancer Peer Review visit.

Work will begin on expansion and refurbishment of the day care unit in August 2007. 

Haematology Outpatient Clinic  - Outpatients West

Our four consultants hold clinics twice a week on Monday and Wednesday afternoons with support from the specialist registrars and nurse specialists. A specialist clinic for patients with bleeding/thrombotic disorders runs on Mondays. 

The majority of patients have blood taken and analysed, so that they can be reviewed by the doctor with the results. The relevant treatment and investigations can then be put in place the same day. 

The obstetric haematology clinic is held on the first Friday of the month in the antenatal clinic at the Women's & Newborn Unit. 

Annette Fox haematology unit - Ward Seven 

Ward seven is a dedicated14-bedded haematological ward with a day care unit. 

The ward is made up of ten single side rooms and two double-bedded bays. The consultants hold formal ward rounds twice a week and the patients are reviewed daily by the junior doctors 

Visiting times on the inpatient ward are 2pm to 8pm daily. Visitors are requested to keep to a maximum of three per patient at any one time.  For patients who are receiving chemotherapy, friends or family who have a cold or any other infection are advised not to visit until they have recovered 

Ward Seven Day Unit    

Many of the tests and treatments for blood conditions can be done in a day without the need for an overnight stay in hospital. These are carried out in the day unit where patients receive treatment sitting in a chair rather than in a bed. 

If treatment is likely to take several hours refreshments are provided. Lunch is also available 

The day care unit is open for treatments between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Patients are welcome to bring a relative or friend with them on the day of treatment. However, if the treatment area is busy they may be asked to wait in the waiting room until the unit is quieter. 

Ward and Day Unit Staff: 

We work as a team and are specialised in treating blood conditions and so either a doctor or a nurse, or both, provide care and treatment 

Nurses

Ward seven -  The nursing team is made up of a senior sister (ward manager), supported by a junior ward sister, 17 staff nurses, five healthcare assistants and ward clerk. 

Day unit - This unit is staffed by a dedicated team of nurses including a sister, staff nurses and healthcare assistants. 

The nurses on the ward and Day Unit are trained and skilled in providing specialist chemotherapy including the administration of intravenous (through the veins) and oral chemotherapy and blood products 

The nursing team is supported by two clinical nurse specialists (specialising in cancer and bleeding disorders such as haemophilia) who provide support for patients, their carers and other healthcare professionals. 

Medical Staff 

The medical team is made up of six consultants (four are based at Bradford, two at Airedale NHS Trust) three specialist registrars a clinical fellow, two senior house officers and a junior house officer who provide 24-hour medical care for patients with blood disorders. They also provide specialist advice to the other departments within the foundation trust and GPs. 

At times our teams include both nursing and medical students. Students are here to observe and learn, however patients are under no obligation to have a student present during their treatment or consultation. 

We always involve patients and carers in decisions and give information to help them make informed choices about treatment and care. 

Patients who feel unwell or have any worries or questions related to their condition or treatment, are encouraged to contact the haematology unit directly 24-hours a day and are given direct-line contact numbers to support this. 

The Multidisciplinary Team 

We work closely with a number of other healthcare professionals.  The team looking after you may include: 

Pharmacists (chemists) 

Dietician 

Occupational therapist (assesses and provides help with activities of daily living) 

Physiotherapist 

Social worker 

Psychologist 

Clinical oncologist (a doctor who specialises in the treatment of cancer) 

Palliative care nurse/doctor (provides expertise in pain and symptom control) 

Radiologist (a doctor who specialises in investigations using x-rays and scans) 

Histopathologist (a doctor who specialises in diagnosing diseases by looking at cells and tissues under the microscope) 

We also have regular support for inpatients from an aroma-therapist and an art therapist. Both of these services are kindly funded by the Annette Fox Leukaemia Research Fund.

How to Access the Service

Further Information

Please click on the links below for more details

Our Staff

Useful Links