Haematology

Haematology is the study of blood, the blood-forming organs and blood disease.

The tests performed in this laboratory help in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions including:

• Leukaemia
• Anaemia
• Coagulation (clotting) disorders

A broad range of haematological tests are performed in the laboratory:

• Full blood counts (also called FBC’s) provide information on the levels of red and white blood cells, platelets and haemoglobin. Abnormally high or low counts may indicate the presence of disease.
• International Normalised Ratio (also called INR) is calculated by measuring the Prothrombin Time (PT). PT is used in assessing and monitoring the clotting characteristics of blood.

The Clinical Haematology Department has inpatient beds on Ward 30 at Arrowe Park Hospital, three are managed as high dependency for oncology (cancer) patients. If these patients have a haematological (blood) disorder and require inpatient chemotherapy or acute emergency management, they will be cared for here.

Co-located on Ward 30 is our newly furbished Haematology Day Ward, which provides outpatient chemotherapy and day case services.

Haematology outpatient clinics, some of which are housed on the third floor, include specialised chemotherapy clinics and general haematology clinics.

A dedicated anticoagulant (clotting) outpatient service takes place at Arrowe Park Hospital. This service supports patients who have a blood thrombosis (clotting) disorder. In addition to routine coagulation profiles, thrombophilia testing (abnormality of blood clotting) is provided. We currently hold three anticoagulant clinics each week.