This page explains what you and your child can expect at your haemophilia and haematology appointment.
How do I get an appointment?
We see patients who have been referred by their GP or hospital doctor. We also see family members as part of family screening of existing patients.
If you would like to be referred, please ask your GP or a medical professional to write to us. If you are already registered with a haemophilia centre and are moving into the area please ask your current haemophilia centre to write to us with your details. See our referrals page.
Changing or cancelling your appointment
To change or cancel an appointment, please contact the team on 0207 188 7545.
Please tell us as soon as possible so we can offer the appointment to another patient.
Before your appointment
If this is your first appointment with us, please bring any written medical details you have, such as your child’s red book (personal child health record). Also, please bring details of any medicines that your child is taking.
During your appointment
You and your child will be booked into the clinic by the receptionist or clinic clerk.
At the appointment, your child will see a specialist consultant. The appointment will last about 30 minutes. This may vary depending on the complexity of your child’s condition. There may be other team members like nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists or dental colleagues in some appointments and your child will be assessed by them if appropriate.
If your child needs a blood test, the haemophilia nurse or doctor will explain this at the appointment.
If a blood test is needed, and depending on your child’s age, local anaesthetic cream ('numbing cream') may be offered before seeing the doctor. This is applied by the nurse to the back of the child’s hands and/or front of the arm and helps to ease the pain associated with the blood test.
Your child will also have his/her height and weight measured.
As we are a teaching hospital, students and visitors may be observing the team. We will always ask your permission for them to observe your appointment.
After your appointment
At the end of your appointment, we will discuss the outcome. We will also ask you to book a follow-up appointment as appropriate.
We may ask you to arrange any special blood tests required with the haemophilia nurse. We will give you their contact details during your appointment.
After the appointment, we will send you a letter with details of the assessments made at the clinic. A copy of this letter will also be sent to your GP and any other health professionals involved in your child’s care.
The letter will have a contact number if you have any questions.