Haematology

Our private Haematology services are provided at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead .

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The Royal Free Hospital in London is a leading centre for the diagnosis and treatment of all conditions affecting the liver, pancreas and biliary tree.

What we offer

The Royal Free is a busy teaching hospital and tertiary referral centre for haematology, hepatology and nephrology, regularly seeing 700,000 patients a year and employing over 4,600 staff. Specialist services include iver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, infectious diseases, clinical immunology, amyloidosis and scleroderma. There is a major accident and emergency service.

Haematology at the Royal Free provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic and treatment services. All of our haematology clinicians are actively engaged in research and have national and international reputations. In addition to providing well-established treatments within a comfortable, but highly professional, setting, we offer a wide range of clinical trials for patients who may benefit from novel therapies. Our non-clinical scientists run routine facilities for diagnosis and monitoring, as well as being involved in academic research, producing output with an international reputation among the scientific community.

Iron infusion

What is iron infusion?

Why do I need an iron infusion?

Symptoms

The most common symptoms are ongoing fatigue and extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, palpitations and a pale complexion. Iron deficiency anaemia can also cause headaches, hair loss, a sore tongue and mouth ulcers, among other things.

Although the symptoms can be vague and overlap with other things, iron deficiency anaemia is simple to diagnose and can be managed, so it’s important to get things checked if you’re concerned.

Treatments

The condition is usually managed with dietary changes and iron supplements in tablet or liquid form. But if these aren’t suitable, or symptoms are very severe, an iron infusion can be beneficial, as the treatment replenishes blood iron levels far more quickly. The effects can also last for several months and, in some cases, even longer.

The treatment is administered via an intravenous drip. First, a needle and small tube, called a cannula, will be inserted into a vein in your arm or hand. A flexible tube, attached to a bag containing the iron solution, will then be inserted. This will enable the iron solution to enter your bloodstream. The process is completely painless – although you may feel a slight scratch when the cannula is inserted and the area might feel a bit bruised for a few days afterwards – and a nurse will check on you regularly throughout.

The procedure can take up to four hours to complete, depending on the level of iron being administered. Most people are able to go home very soon afterwards.

Therapeutic venesection

What is Therapeutic venesection?

Why do I need a therapeutic venesection?

This is sometimes required if a person has too many red blood cells, which can slow down blood-flow and increase the risk of developing blood clots, among other things.

A common example of a condition that may require therapeutic venesection treatment is haemochromatosis, an inherited condition associated with ‘iron overload’. Over time, this can lead to complications such as arthritis, liver damage and heart problems, so managing the condition is important. Certain lung and heart problems can sometimes require this treatment too.

As well as reducing blood levels by around 1 pint, if required, a therapeutic venesection can also reduce blood thickness to safe levels.

The procedure

The procedure is very similar to what happens when you donate blood. You’ll be asked to lie on a comfortable chair, and a specialist nurse will insert a needle into a vein in your arm. A flexible tube, connected to a bag, will be attached – the blood will slowly drain into this. Only a small amount is removed and the process is usually completed in around 10-15 minutes. Apart from a slight scratch when the needle is inserted (and the area may feel a bit bruised for a few days afterwards), the process is completely painless. However, some people do feel a bit dizzy or lightheaded – drinking plenty of fluid can help and the nurse will check on you throughout.

Once the required amount has been removed, the needle will be carefully removed and a pressure dressing applied. You should be able to go home shortly afterwards.

How frequently the treatment is required can vary from person to person. Your consultant will be able to help monitor and advise on this.

Blood transfusion

What is blood transfusion?

Why do I need a blood transfusion?

It’s a life-saving measure used when – for various reasons – a person doesn’t have enough blood, or particular blood cells, in their system to function. Donated blood is rigorously checked to ensure it is safe for transfusion and a suitable match for the recipient.

There are a number of reasons why somebody may need a blood transfusion. These include medical conditions, such as anaemia (lack of red blood cells), sickle cell disease or thalassaemia, as well as severe blood loss following a wound, injury, surgery or childbirth. Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or stem cell transplants, can also affect blood cells and may lead to a transfusion being required.

The procedure

We understand that undergoing a blood transfusion might seem daunting at first. Our specialist team will do their best to ensure you feel well taken care of and fully informed about what to expect, and as relaxed and comfortable as possible at every stage.

Before having a blood transfusion, we will take a blood sample from you and once a suitable match has been found, you will be invited for the procedure. Blood transfusions are usually administered via an intravenous drip. A needle and small tube, called a cannula, will be inserted into a vein in your arm or hand. A flexible tube, attached to a bag containing the donor blood, will then be inserted. This will enable to donor blood to enter your blood stream. The process is completely painless – although you may feel a slight scratch when the cannula is inserted and the area might feel a bit bruised for a few days afterwards – and a nurse will check on you regularly throughout.

The procedure can take up to four hours to complete, depending on the amount of blood being transfused. Most people are able to go home very soon afterwards, unless you are unwell or required a high amount of blood.

Meet our consultants

We work with leading experts who are all supported by the expertise of a multidisciplinary team. Our specialist team of doctors and surgeons includes:

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