Haemophilia and acquired bleeding disorders

Haemophilia is an inherited condition that affects the blood's ability to clot.

Normally, when you cut yourself, substances in the blood known as clotting factors combine with blood cells called platelets to make the blood sticky. This makes the bleeding stop eventually.

However, in haemophilia, there aren't as many clotting factors as there should be in the blood. This means that someone with the condition bleeds for longer than usual.

UCLH is a designated Haemophilia Centre, and provides a 24/7 service for patients, including those needing treatment with blood products and clotting factor medications.

Through specialist haemostasis outpatient clinics and inpatient referrals, UCLH provides expert care for patients with a diverse range of bleeding disorders including:

• haemophilia;
• von Willebrand Disease and platelet function defects;
• other acquired bleeding disorders.

Patients with bleeding disorders may require treatment during acute bleeding episodes, but also treatment when undergoing surgery or during childbirth. We therefore provide support to patients across UCLH hospital sites and across many specialties, to ensure patients receive necessary treatment.​​​​​