Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The department provides level 2b BCSH haematology services.  The unit is very busy and contributes well to NCRN trials and has the support of the Clinical Trials Office and a nurse to assist in data collection and reporting.  There is a MDT meeting twice a week with the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on Tuesdays.  Once a month, there is a teleconference MDT with Addenbrooke’s Hospital which is our allogeneic transplant centre, and a similar meeting with the NNUH where our autologous bone marrows are performed.

Whenever possible patients are treated as day cases and the day treatment centre (the Sandra Chapman Centre) is adjacent to the inpatient ward.  The Day Centre has recently been extended and consists of single rooms and treatment chairs. The Day Centre is responsible for review of patients with a variety of malignant and non-malignant haematological patients including acute leukaemia and patients with lymphoproliferative disorders.  This is an extremely busy unit with over 4000 consultations a year.  

Inpatients are admitted to a ward of 17 single rooms, which is shared with oncology.  There is no upper limit to the number of inpatients and haematology and oncology patients have priority for these beds.  On average we have ten inpatients.  Admission of Haemato-oncology patients is in line with the National Acute Oncology Service (AOS) guidelines.   First on-call for inpatients are dedicated middle grade haematology/oncology trainees who do a 1:4 resident cover 8 am-8pm.

Haematology Consultant clinics take place on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. There are separate myeloproliferative, myeloma, haemochromatosis and lymphoma clinics.

The anticoagulant nurse specialists have new patient clinics on Tuesday and Friday mornings.  

The post holder is expected to undertake both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching included teaching commitments regarding the training of specialist registrars.

Anticoagulant and Thromboprophylaxis Service 

Some anticoagulant dosing locally is currently done via the hospital anticoagulant service based on laboratory INRs, although the majority of patients are bled in the community.  Dosing is via computer dosing system (APEX).  Manual dosing advice is given by the anticoagulant nurse specialists, when required.  Inpatients on oral anticoagulants are also dosed by the anticoagulant nurse specialists.  A fast track DVT service is run by the anticoagulant nurse specialists.

There are four anticoagulant nurse specialists.

There is active Thromboprophylaxis committee and regular audit of thromboprophylaxis.  One of the Consultant posts will include oversight of these services.

Laboratory Haematology and Blood Transfusion 

The Haematology and Blood Transfusion Laboratories at James Paget Hospital is managed by the Eastern Pathology Alliance (EPA), an alliance of three hospitals including Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn.  

Histopathology and Cytology services are based at the Cotman centre in Norwich. Haematology and Blood Transfusion is currently CPA accredited and MHRA compliant.

The Laboratory also operates a comprehensive anticoagulant dosing service to hospital and GP patients.

Haemato-pathology Services 

Haemato-Oncology services are currently all provided at Addenbrookes Hospital in line with IOG directives which mandate the delivery of such services through an SIHMDS.

Service Aspects of Haematology 

The department provides a 24 hour advice service for the hospital and local GPs including out of hours.  

The successful candidate will have an office with their own desk, personal computer and secretarial support. 

TYA 

Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Cambridge) is designated the principal treatment centre for this group of patients.  The Norfolk & Norwich, Peterborough and Ipswich hospitals are also TYA designated hospitals.  Shared care arrangements exist with these and neighbouring trusts within the region.