Specialist multidisciplinary team (MDT)
A specialist MDT is a team of our professionals who will be caring for and supporting you. This team consists of experts in different areas of medicine and care, such as doctors, nurses, dietitians, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
It is important that you understand what your treatment involves.
Please feel free to ask questions to clarify anything about your care plan that is not clear. We will do our utmost to answer your questions clearly and honestly.
We will give you written information about your diagnosis and treatment to support the discussions you will have with members of the team. We will explain any aspects of the written information you may need help with.
We recommend that you write down any questions you wish to ask us before your appointment and we will answer them when we see you. We also encourage you to bring a relative or friend with you to clinic, as they can help you remember what has been discussed as well as offer you support.
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) have specialist training, advanced clinical skills and extensive experience in treating patients with your type of cancer. They offer advice and support throughout your diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Your CNS may also act as your ‘key-worker’ during your treatment, which means they are a consistent point of contact for you, your family and any professionals involved in your care. They can be contacted between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) via the Haematology Telephone Line on 020 3447 7359. For out-of-hours advice (emergency calls at evenings, weekends and bank holidays), call 0785 2220 900.
If your treatment is part of a clinical trial, you will also be supported by a CNS for haematology research.
Georgina Dean, Leukaemia Research Nurse
Georgina is a research nurse within the acute leukaemia team. She began working in the Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU) at the beginning of 2016. Previously, she was a staff nurse on the haematology inpatient wards. Her time on the wards gave her great insight in to the patient experience of undergoing intensive haematological cancer treatments.
"The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that I am involved in helping improve the future treatment for acute leukaemia and experience of patients with the disease."
Laura Favero, Leukaemia Research Nurse
Laura Favero is a leukaemia research nurse who specialises in chronic leukaemia. She is also involved in the research of new treatments for acute leukaemia and multiple myeloma.
“The most rewarding part of my role at UCLH is caring for patients through their cancer journey and being able to offer patients new and pioneering treatment.”
Craig Jones, Senior Clinical Trial Practitioner, and Team Lead UCLH
Craig works as a senior clinical trial practitioner and leads the lymphoma research team within the haematology clinical trials unit. This team supports a large portfolio of trials available to UCLH patients with different types of lymphoma.
Craig supports junior members of the clinical trials team with their personal and professional development while working to develop the portfolio of trials available at UCLH. As part of the multidisciplinary team Craig is a key contact for patients participating in research and is integrated into the lymphoma multidisciplinary team.
“UCLH is a forward thinking and leading NHS trust for clinical research. We are striving to make the UK a competitive and innovative place to do research. I am committed to improving patient care and changing practise through evidence based medicine.”
Macmillan support workers provide one-to-one patient support, advice and guidance, and link patients to the Macmillan Support and Information Service at UCLH.
Haematology pharmacists work alongside the team and will help advise you on any medications or chemotherapy prescribed for you. You will meet them in the clinic, day care or on the ward.
There are other specialists such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, counsellors and dietitians, who are part of the extended MDT. You may be referred to these specialists if appropriate.
There are other specialists such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, counsellors and dietitians, who are part of the extended MDT. You may be referred to these specialists if appropriate.
Orla McCourt, Specialist Physiotherapist & Research Fellow
Orla is a chartered physiotherapist specialising in haematology and cancer.
She has received research funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to lead a UCLH based research study exploring the effects of exercise before and during autologous stem cell transplant in patients being treated for myeloma.
Consultants
Dr Kirit Ardeshna, Divisional Clinical Director for Cancer and Consultant Haemato-oncologist
Dr Kirit Ardeshna is the lead blood conditions clinician at UCLH. He specialises in treating patients with haematological malignancies and has a particular interest in non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma. He is also an honorary senior lecturer at UCL.
“The most rewarding part of my role at UCLH is curing some patients and helping others managing their long-term conditions so they can lead good quality lives.”
Dr Baldeweg is a consultant physician in diabetes and endocrinology at UCLH and honorary senior lecturer in the Department of Medicine at UCL. She graduated from Humboldt University, Berlin, in 1990 and undertook her specialist training in London.
Dr Baldeweg is interested in all aspects of diabetes and endocrinology. She has a special clinical and research interest in pituitary disease, and is now looking to perform research in endocrine disorders secondary to POEMS syndrome.
Dr Caimari is a clinical fellow in diabetes and endocrinology at UCLH. She finished her clinical training in Barcelona and moved to London in 2014 to undertake a PhD in the field of pituitary disease. After a two-year fellowship in research, she is currently working as a clinical fellow, with a special interest in the impact of endocrine disorders caused by POEMS.
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.
Professor Chakraverty is an attending physician on the Bone Marrow Transplantation programme that runs at the Royal Free London and UCLH.
Dr Cwynarski's interests are in lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with specialist interests in HIV-related lymphoma, primary CNS lymphoma, HTLV1-associated lymphoproliferative disease. She has been involved in writing lymphoma guidelines for BCSH and BHIVA.
Dr D’Sa specialises in the treatment of Waldenströms macroglobulinaemia, paraproteinaemic neuropathies, Bing-Neel syndrome, POEMS syndrome and Myeloma and Solitary Bone Plasmacytoma. She is also an honorary senior lecturer at the UCL Cancer Institute.
“UCLH is an enabling and forward-facing institution with excellent academic links. It is a pleasure to be able to work in close knit clinical teams with medical, nursing colleagues and support staff who collectively strive to work for the patients. I have had the good fortune to meet and look after patients with relatively rare conditions, many of whom are motivated to work together to improve the outlook for Waldenströms patients through the work of a self-styled doctor-patient charity, WMUK (www.wmuk.org.uk)"
Emma Drasar is a consultant haematologist working between UCLH and the Whittington NHS Trust. She trained at St Barts and the Royal London School of Medicine, University of London, and qualified in 2001 and was awarded MRCP in 2006. She completed her haematology training at King's College Hospital, being awarded FRCPath in 2015.
Dr Drasar was appointed clinical lecturer in sickle cell condition at King’s College from 2009 to 2013. During this time she was awarded a PhD based on research into markers of severity and predictors of organ dysfunction in sickle cell disease, and in 2013 was awarded the Early Stage Investigator prize from the British Society of Haematology.
Dr Perla Eleftheriou is clinical governance lead of the red cell haematology department at UCH. Her area of special interest is red cell disorders, which include haemoglobinopathies and rare anaemias, as well as polycythaemias and iron overload disorders. Dr Eleftheriou teaches haematology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is a visiting lecturer of haematology at the Nicosia Medical School in Cyprus. Dr Eleftheriou also serves as clinical/scientific adviser to Thalassaemia International Federation and is a member of the UK Thalassaemia Society.
Dr Gupta is a consultant haematologist specialising in diagnostic haematology and treating patients with acute leukaemia admitted as inpatients. He is also a senior lecturer in haematology at the UCL Cancer Institute and his areas of research interest are haematopoietic stem cell biology and understanding cell state transitions in haematopoietic stem cells and how they impact cell fate decision making.
“Providing a high quality 'state of the art' diagnostic facility for the haematological oncology service at UCLH is the most rewarding part of my work.”
Dr Rachael Hough is a consultant haematologist at UCLH and honorary consultant haematologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Her specialist areas include blood conditions in teenagers, haematological malignancy and haemopoietic stem cell transplantation. Dr Hough is an honorary senior lecturer at UCL and is involved in research into cord blood transplantation and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in teenagers and young adults.
Dr Hughes studied medicine at Oxford University and has joined UCLH as a consultant haematologist.
Stephen is a neurology specialist registrar working in north London with an interest in peripheral nerve disorders. He received a three-year research grant by the Association of British Neurologists to take time out of training to study POEMS syndrome pathogenesis, in particular the neuropathy it causes.
Dr Panos Kottaridis is a consultant haematologist specialising in leukaemia and bone marrow transplantation.
Dr Kyriakou is a consultant haematologist. She is actively involved in national and international clinical trials in haematological conditions.
Dr Jonathan Lambert is a consultant haemato-oncologist at UCLH. He specialises in treating myeloproliferative neoplasms and lymphoma, with a particular interest in functional imaging in lymphoma.
“The most rewarding part of my work at UCLH is being part of a dynamic, modern team with expertise in looking after people with even the most complex haematological cancers, and being able to provide cutting-edge anti-cancer therapies to patients who can benefit from them. I also greatly enjoy teaching students and other doctors”
Dr Lunn is a consultant neurologist and clinical lead in neuroimmunology and honorary senior lecturer at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
His specialist clinical and research interests are in the inflammatory neuropathies, particularly Guillain-Barré syndrome, CIDP and haematological neuropathy causing conditions such as paraproteinaemic neuropathies and POEMS syndrome.
Professor Mackinnon leads the bone marrow and stem cell program at UCL. Research interests include adoptive immunotherapy and immune reconstitution following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The programme has world-class transplant outcomes for patients with leukaemia and lymphoma.
Dr Marc Mansour is an honorary consultant haematologist at UCLH and research group leader at the UCL Cancer Institute. His research has focused on two aggressive haematological malignancies: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). He has published extensively on the biology of acute leukaemia. His clinical interests are ALL, AML and myelodysplasia (MDS).
Dr Christopher McNamara is a consultant haematologist with an interest in general haematology and haematological malignancies. His specialty interest is in lymphoma and he has published extensively on this subject.
Professor Mehta is a consultant haematologist with a special interest in myeloma. His academic interest is in rare lysosomal diseases and their treatment.
Sajir Mohamedbhai is an honorary consultant haematologist. He is a member of the lymphoma team at UCLH and runs a general haematology clinic. He is involved in recruiting patients into clinical trials in lymphoma.
“I enjoy being part of a highly dedicated and friendly team, where everyone is committed to going the extra mile for our patients. It is particularly rewarding to see the positive impact this has on our patients' lives”
Professor Emma Morris is a consultant haematologist at UCLH. Her clinical interest is in the field of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. She is secretary of the Clinical Trials Committee of the British Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and is on the Editorial Board of the British Journal for Haematology.
Professor Amit Nathwani specialises in treating haematological cancer including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
"My primary research interest is to use gene transfer technology to develop novel therapies for NHS priority areas such as cancer and chronic disorders. We hope to develop a novel immunotherapy approach for CLL."
Dr Beth Payne specialises in the treatment of MDS and Bone Marrow Failure. She is also a senior clinical researcher funded by the Wellcome Trust and The Leuka John Goldman Fellowship for future Science, and runs a research laboratory studying the mechanisms of disease in bone marrow failure and myelodysplastic syndromes and is also working to develop novel therapeutics.
Her areas of research interest are MDS and Bone Marrow Failure, especially Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia and 5q-syndrome MDS. She has also been involved in research projects in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemias with CEBPA mutations and biology and management of familial MDS/leukaemia and bone marrow failure.
“The most rewarding part of my work is getting to know and treat patients and working with an amazing team of doctors, nurses and other support workers.”
Professor Karl Peggs is an honorary consultant in haematology and transplantation at UCLH. His research interests include immune reconstitution, pathogen-specific adoptive cellular therapies, and regulatory checkpoint-directed immunotherapeutics. Dr Peggs is a member of the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research Clinical Trials Committee, a Trustee of the Teens Unite charity, and has contributed to several international working parties on infectious complications and relapse following stem cell transplantation. He is Chief Investigator for four UKCRN national studies investigating transplantation in Hodgkin’s lymphoma and cellular therapies for cytomegalovirus. Dr Peggs has also been the senior lecturer in Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy at UCL since 2003.
Dr Rakesh Popat is a consultant haematologist who specialises in multiple myeloma and Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for haematological cancers. His main area of research interest is the clinical development of new drugs for the treatment of haematological cancers. Dr Popat is also an honorary clinical senior lecturer at the UCL Cancer Institute, the National Institute for Health Research North Thames Clinical Research Network Haematology (Cancer) lead, and a member of both the National Cancer Research Institute myeloma sub-group and the Myleloma UK clinical trials steering group.
“The most rewarding part of my work at UCLH is being able to offer new potential treatments to those that need them.”
Professor John Porter is a consultant haematologist at UCLH, professor of haematology at UCL and head of the joint red cell unit for UCLH and Whittington Hospitals. His main clinical and research fields have been the treatments of thalassaemia and sickle cell disorders, with particular reference to iron overload in these conditions. Professor Porter has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles, and has made numerous contributions to books, as well as clinical guidelines and other medical articles.
Dr Martin Pule, as well as being a senior lecturer at UCL, holds an honorary consultant post as a clinical haematologist at UCLH. He is the principal investigator in an open clinical study of engineered T-cells at UCLH.
Dr Neil Rabin runs the myeloma trials clinic, is responsible for patients referred up for autologous stem cell transplantation and participates in the general myeloma service at UCLH. Dr Rabin is principal and co-investigator on several studies evaluating new treatments for myeloma, both at diagnosis and in relapse. He investigated novel therapies to treat myeloma bone disease for his PhD, and continues to have an active interest in this area.
Dr Scully was appointed as a consultant at UCLH in 2007, with an interest in haemostasis and thrombosis. She is clinical lead for haematopathology and blood transfusion at UCLH. She is also the lead for TTP and associated TMAs, including aHUS. UCLH is a specialist centre for TTP.
Dr Mallika Sekhar is a consultant haematologist and honorary senior lecturer at UCL specialising in myeloproliferative diseases across UCLH and Royal Free hospitals, with a special interest in patients with vascular thrombosis and myeloproliferative diseases. Her other specialist areas include acute leukaemia and transfusion medicine. She has been involved in writing guidelines on MPD for BCSH.
Dr Farrukh Shah was awarded her MD thesis for research in iron chelation at UCL. She has already built an international reputation in the management of iron problems and of thalassaemia
Dr Jonathan Sive is a consultant haematologist specialising in myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. He completed his specialist haematology training at UCLH, and subsequently carried out a PhD in molecular haematology at Cambridge University, using genomic technologies to study the mechanisms of leukaemia development.
Dr Mari Thomas is haematology consultant for the thrombosis team at UCLH. As part of the TTP team, she manages both inpatients and outpatients with TTP and other thrombotic microangiopathies, such as atypical HUS. Her other areas of interest include venous thromboembolism in cancer patients.
Dr Thomas also runs a new clinic for cancer VTE in the UCLH MacMillan Cancer Centre. She also specialises in obstetric haematology, running a joint antenatal clinic for high-risk pregnancies with Dr Cohen and obstetric colleagues. She acts as liaison between the transfusion laboratory and the Fetal Medicine Unit for women with red cell alloantibodies in pregnancy.
"The most rewarding part of my work is working with a great team and seeing our research findings translated into better outcomes for patients."
Dr Kirsty Thomson is a consultant haematologist specialising in bone marrow transplant (BMT) and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Dr Sara Trompeter is a consultant haematologist and paediatric haematologist. She specialises in red cell and iron disorders in children and adults, including sickle cell, thalassaemia, enzymopathies, membranopathies and haemochromatosis. Sara also works with the transplant team to develop the haemoglobinopathy stem cell transplant programme for adolescents.
Her main research interest is transfusion in sickle cell disease and thalassaemia, and she also has an academic role with NHS Blood and Transplant to develop and evidence base for transfusion in haemoglobinopathies.
“The most rewarding part of my role at UCLH is that I am constantly interacting with brilliant collaborative colleagues who can inspire and motivate you. The atmosphere at UCLH generated by staff, encourages innovation and improvement in treatments for patients. The junior doctors are also of an extremely high standard.”
Dr Andres Virchis holds a weekly lymphoma autograft clinic and attends the myeloma clinic on alternate weeks. He is also joint Haematology Tumour Board chair for the North London Cancer Network. Dr Virchis’s specialist interests are Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and haematological stem cell transplantation.
Dr Wechalekar is an academic consultant haematologist specialising in plasma cell dyscrasias (multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis). He is reader in medicine and haematology at UCL. He is a chief investigator on national and international trials in the respective areas and has published extensively on plasma cell disorders.
His academic and clinical interests are focused on amyloidosis and multiple myeloma.
Dr John-Paul Westwood specialises in haemostasis and thrombosis, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and bleeding disorders. He also work as a transfusion consultant. His research interests are in non-malignant haematology, including TTP and ITP. I am also involved in supporting clinical trials in these conditions areas.
“The most rewarding part of my work at UCLH is treating patients with varied and often challenging diseases in the field of haemostasis and thrombosis.”
Professor Kwee Yong is the clinical and academic lead in multiple myeloma at UCLH and the North London Cancer Network (NLCN), and wrote the NLCN guideline for the management of this cancer.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)
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”
