Haematology

General and diagnostic haematology

Patients with any suspected blood disorder can be seen rapidly at either Hammersmith or St Mary’s Hospital. Achieving the correct diagnosis is essential for correct therapy.

Our experienced consultants will request the appropriate tests for you and ensure their correct and timely interpretation. After initial assessment and diagnosis, patients will be referred further to the most appropriate specialists for treatment.

Malignant haematology (blood cancer)

The department of haematology at Hammersmith Hospital is one of the world’s leading centres for blood cancer diagnosis and treatment. We care for patients with all cancers affecting the blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes including:

• leukaemia
• lymphoma (both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin)
• myelodysplastic syndromes
• myeloproliferative neoplasms
• multiple myeloma

We also have two world-renowned bone marrow transplantation units at St Mary’s Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital. We were one of the first hospitals in the world to perform an allogeneic stem cell transplant (from one person to another) and we maintain an excellent reputation in this technology.

Read broader information about cancer.

Red blood cells and non-malignant haematology

We care for patients with a wide range of non-malignant blood disorders including haemoglobinopathies (sickle cell and thalassaemia), less common red cell disorders, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and other disorders. At the Sainsbury Wing at Hammersmith Hospital, we are one of the leading specialist centres for non-malignant haematology with nationally renowned expertise in the investigation and management of red cell disorders.

We provide a wide range of services for our patients, including day care treatment, inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, and pregnancy care for patients with blood disorders (provided jointly with the Clayton Ward at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital and The Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital). Selected patients may be offered bone marrow transplantation. This intensive treatment is available at St Mary’s Hospital for children and at Hammersmith Hospital for adults.

We accept referrals for all red blood cell diseases and non-malignant disorders including:

• anaemia including haemolytic anaemia (inborn or acquired)
• haemochromatosis
• haemoglobinopathies including sickle cell disease and thalassaemia
• neutropenia
• platelet disorders such as thrombocytopenia, including immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)

Disorders of blood coagulation – bleeding and thrombosis

We have been a major research centre for bleeding disorders since the 1930s, and our haematology department is internationally recognised for its achievements in the development of treatments for a wide range of disorders of haemostasis and thrombosis. Our modern practice has extended into the diagnosis and management of thrombosis. The haematology department also has a distinguished haemophilia centre and receives referrals from all over the world.

Our patients benefit from a full range of diagnostic and management services relevant to common, rare and very rare bleeding and thrombotic disorders including:

• investigation of bleeding, bruising and related problems such as menorrhagia
• haemophilia and other hereditary predispositions to bleeding
• acquired bleeding disorders
• platelet function disorders
• pregnancy related bleeding and clotting problems
• surgery related bleeding and clotting problems
• thrombophilia – increased predisposition to blood clotting and family studies
• short and long term anticoagulation including critical periods such as pregnancy