Oncology/Clinical Haematology services

Dr V Balakrishnan, General Physician with an interest in Oncology and Haematology co-ordinates these services with input from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust and the Haematology Department of The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Oncology

Most patients with suspected cancer are assessed by a Consultant at Noble's Hospital and then referred to a visiting Oncologist for further treatment once the diagnosis of cancer is confirmed.

There are four oncology clinic sessions run by visiting medical and clinical oncologists from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (CCC) on a Monday and Thursday. The Oncologist that the patient is referred to will depend on the type of cancer they have been diagnosed with and the treatment they are to receive, e.g. chemotherapy or radiotherapy or a combination of both.

Most chemotherapy treatment can be administered locally in the Oncology Suite at Noble's Hospital by a team of experienced chemotherapy nurses led by a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology. They are supported by Specialist Oncology Pharmacists. Further advice and support is available from the Oncology team at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Patients who require radiotherapy will have their treatment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, arranged and supervised by the visiting Oncologist.

Oncological emergencies are admitted to Noble's Hospital by the on call team and referred to the appropriate specialist depending on the clinical condition.

Patients with less common cancers, e.g. head and neck, testicular, ovarian, brain tumours are referred to specialist centres in UK. Chemotherapy for some of these tumour types can be given locally at Noble's Hospital.

Clinical Haematology

Patients with suspected clinical haematological problems are referred to Dr V Balakrishnan, a General Physician with an interest in Haematology, for assessment. After assessment, these patients are discussed with the specialist team at The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust at a weekly Haematology multi-disciplinary team meeting.

The patients are managed either locally with input from the team there or referred to The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust Haematology out patient clinics for further assessment and treatment.

Acute haematological problems including acute leukaemia are admitted to hospital by the on call team and referred to the appropriate specialist at The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.