Meet the blood conditions team

Among the doctors involved, you’ll meet consultants and registrars, who have different roles and levels of experience:

Consultants are senior doctors who have completed their specialist training and have extensive experience in managing blood cancers and blood conditions. They lead your care team, make key decisions about your treatment plan, and oversee your progress throughout your treatment.

Registrars are doctors who are in training to become consultants. They work very closely with consultants to provide day-to-day care, carry out procedures, and monitor your condition. Registrars have a strong knowledge base and clinical skills but continue to develop their expertise under the supervision of consultants.

Clinical nurse specialists have special training in your type of cancer or blood condition. They’re here to support you through your diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Your CNS might be your main contact while you’re under the care of UCLH.

You can call them Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, at 020 3447 7359. If you need help outside those times, call 07852 220 900.

If you’re part of a clinical trial, a team of research nurses will support you. They’ll coordinate your care during the trial. You can contact them Monday to Friday at 020 3447 2528. For emergencies outside those hours, call 07852 220 900.

Our support workers offer one-on-one advice and support. They can also connect you with the UCLH Macmillan Support and Information Service (MSIS). Visit the MSIS web pages to find out more on what they offer.

Pharmacists will help you understand your medications and chemotherapy. You’ll meet them in the clinic, day care or on the ward.

Other specialists might help you too, if needed. This can include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, and dietitians.

Aviva is a haematology clinical nurse specialist focusing on myeloma and plasma cell disorders. She has worked as a haematology nurse at UCLH for 15 years and before that in oncology and neurosurgery. During her time as a haematology nurse, she has developed a special interest in POEMS syndrome and the wide-ranging effects it has on the patient and their family and carers. She works with the team in the monthly POEMS clinic.

Stephen manages the haematology nursing services. He has been a cancer nurse for nearly 20 years working in paediatric and adult haematology and bone marrow transplantation. He is clinical director for the Association for Safe Aseptic Practice, Chair of the British Haematology Nurses Society and Chair of the UCLH Haematology Cancer Care Charity.

“My job is to help ensure we provide a robust nursing service as patients rely on nursing expertise for safe high quality care.”

Syeda is a clinical nurse specialist in MPN. She has experience in haematology in both inpatients and outpatients as a ward nurse and ward manager. She joined the CNSs in 2014 at the Royal Free Hospital to work with MPN patients. Syeda’s experience within haematology includes symptom management, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant and acutely unwell patients.

Syeda has undertaken further studies and holds a BSc in haemato-oncology from Kings College London.

“The most rewarding part of my job is making a difference to the patients and their family’s lives by supporting them through their diagnosis and beyond.”

Simon is the practice development lead for haematology, leading a team of clinical practice facilitators (CPF) providing specialised clinical education and continuing practice development for nursing staff in haematology. His research focuses on improving aseptic technique, clinical competencies and practice education.

“The most rewarding part of my role at UCLH is collaborating with such a dedicated and effective team of healthcare professionals to improve the clinical competency of our nursing team”

Shari Denovan is UCLH’s bone marrow transplant clinical nurse manager. Her areas of research interest include sexuality and counselling.

“The most rewarding part of my role at UCLH is educating patients, and arming them with information and tools to make adjustments to their lives post bone marrow transplant"

Jackie deals exclusively with the care of all the allogeneic bone marrow/peripheral stem cell transplant donors. This covers individuals who are either a blood relative of the patient, or an unrelated volunteer via a registry. She maintains strong links with both the Anthony Nolan Trust and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

“The most rewarding part of my role is to educate and support individuals through a process that can be daunting and completely unfamiliar, and to make them feel comfortable and secure”

Bernadette specialises in sickle cell disease, thalassaemia and conditions associated with red blood cells.

“The most enjoyable part of my job is getting to know my patients and having a positive impact on their life”.

Clair specialises in acute leukaemias, with a special interest in MyeloDysplastic syndromes (MDS) and aplastic anaemia (AA) and has spent her nursing career focusing on the care of cancer patients of all ages.

“The most rewarding part of my role is to be able to implement change, and be part of leading a service and dedicated team that evolves and continues to strive for excellence for our patients and their outcomes”.

Claire is the lead clinical nurse specialist for haematology. She manages a team of 10 clinical nurse specialists and a Macmillan cancer support worker. She has worked as a clinical nurse specialist in a number of haematology specialties, and has a particular interest in chronic myeloid leukaemia. She is focused on providing better patient information, and has led on a project which has standardised written information for newly diagnosed patients receiving care in the London Cancer hospital network.

“The most enjoyable part of my role at UCLH is leading an innovative, effective and supportive team of clinical nurse specialists. We embrace new ways of working, developing additional services and perform strongly in patient surveys”

Fran is one of the lead clinical nurse specialists for haematology. She manages a team of nine clinical nurse specialists, covering lymphoma and myeloma.

She has worked as a clinical nurse specialist in a number of haematology specialties, and has a particular interest in lymphoma.

“The most enjoyable part of my role is working closely with patients and their families”

Micaela supports young adults and adults with Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She has a special interest in supporting patients at the end of treatment.

"The most rewarding aspect of my job is being there to support patients at a vulnerable time in their lives. Being able to apply my expertise and specialised knowledge to make their journey easier is why I enjoy my role."

Gemma specialises in adults with acute myeloid leukaemia, acute promyloctic leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She also works with mylodysplasia and aplastic anaemia patients.

“The most rewarding part of working at UCLH is the incredible multi-disciplinary team that work in haematology to provide excellent, specialist care to our patients. I have worked in the haematology unit since qualifying in 1998 – how long I’ve been here is a testament to the team we have here. I am challenged every single day and I learn so much from my colleagues and my patients”

Sarah has worked in haematology since 2002 and on a number of haematology wards in Manchester and London, caring for patients at all stages of their diagnosis. She worked as a bone marrow transplant co-ordinator at UCLH before 2012 when she took the role of myeloma CNS. In addition to myeloma, she has worked with a specialised group of cardiac AL amyloid patients. Sarah has also facilitated the London Myeloma Support Group for a number of years.

“Myeloma is an exciting field to work in with new developments being made. It is a privilege to be able to help people and their families through a difficult period in their lives.”

Catherine specialises in myeloma, Waldenströms macroglobunaemia and other plasma cell disorders. She has a BSc in Haemato-oncology care.

“The most rewarding part of my role is meeting many different people at various stages of their diagnosis when they first come for treatment. With our pioneering Cancer Centre, we are able to provide patients with cutting edge treatments in a therapeutic, and holistic environment. This enables interaction with patients to be delivered in a way that is conducive to flexibility, providing an overall better experience for the patient and family”