Your referral to the Haematology Team

Transcription

1 Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust NHS Your referral to the Haematology Team INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS AND CARERS Our Hospitals, Our Future

2 Your referral to the Haematology Team You have been referred to the Haematology Team at Leighton Hospital. This booklet has been written to give some general information about the team and a chance for you to write down any information you wish to from your visits with the team. Why have I been referred to the team? It may be that you have been asked to attend because the team have experience in dealing with a condition you may have. You may not have been diagnosed with a haematological condition, but may just be requiring investigation and examination by the team. Please clarify with the nurse or doctor your reason for referral if you do not feel this has been made clear to you. 2

3 What if I want to speak to someone about my care or treatment? If you live in Crewe or the surrounding areas, one of the Macmillan Haematology Nurse Specialists will be your allocated key workers and can be contacted Monday to Friday 9am 5pm on: (answerphone) or (switchboard) and ask the operator to bleep 3125 If you need to change a clinic appointment please call the haematology secretaries on If you live in Stoke or the surrounding areas, the Haematology Nurse Specialist there will be your allocated key worker and can be contacted Monday to Friday 9am 5pm on: (answerphone) or (switchboard) and ask the operator to bleep The key workers are also your access point to any of the team of doctors, or other health care professionals and support team that care for you with regards you haematological condition. Please be aware you are free to choose somebody else as your key-worker if you wish. 3

4 Your Consultant Haematologist is You may meet other Consultants in the team in the out-patient clinic. There are also other medical team members e.g. registrars that you may see in the clinics. 4

5 Your diagnosis This section has been included so that you have written information about your medical condition. Date diagnosis discussed... Person talking to me about diagnosis... What have I been told... 5

6 What happens now... 6

7 If you need further information about your diagnosis, you could ask the doctor or nurse specialist to write more details or draw a diagram here. 7

8 What further investigations may be needed? You will be informed which of the following tests will be required. Ask the nurse or doctor to tick which tests you need. Blood Tests These may be done as part of a clinic visit and you do not have to wait for the results. The reason for carrying out the blood tests is to look in more detail at your blood, your kidney or liver functions. Chest X-ray / Scans X-rays of your chest may sometimes be required, and can usually be done during your clinic appointment. More detailed tests (e.g. CT scans, MRI scans and x-rays of your bones) may sometimes be needed and you will receive an appointment for these through the post or by phone. If you require a PET (positron-emission tomography) this will be performed at the University Hospital North Staffs, your team will be able to give you directions and additional information. A PET scan provides more detailed information and like X-rays and scans uses radiation to detect abnormalities in the body. Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy The bone marrow sample is taken by a doctor or a specially trained nurse. There is a separate information sheet available about this procedure. Other tests that are required 8

9 Questions about your diagnosis Now that you have been told your medical diagnosis, you may start to think of other questions you would like to ask your doctor or the Macmillan Haematology Nurse Specialist. 9

10 Discussion of Treatment Plan At your consultation on... attended by: Doctor... Macmillan Haematology Nurse Specialist:... Other Health Professional(s):... Spouse or partner/ Name:... Other relative/friend/carer:... The following points were discussed:... Comments:... 10

11 What might my treatment be? Once you and the medical team have agreed a course of action, you will be given more specific information about your condition. If it is not appropriate for you to receive treatment at this time, you will be followed up in the outpatient clinic and you are advised to contact the team using the numbers provided if you develop any symptoms or become unwell. If you are going to receive chemotherapy, you will be provided with written information regarding specific drugs/ side effects/ contact numbers and asked to sign a consent form. You will also be provided with an appointment for the clinic or chemotherapy unit where you will be receiving the treatment. If you are going to receive radiotherapy, you will be provided with written information regarding specific side effects and asked to sign a consent form. Other types of therapy that are not within these groups will also be discussed with you where appropriate. You will be supplied with written information in order to help you reach a decision. Please ask a member of the nursing or medical team if you require further information at any time. 11

12 Useful contact numbers and support services Macmillan Cancer Unit Leighton Hospital Tel: St Luke s (Cheshire) Hospice Winsford Tel: Macmillan Benefits Adviser Citizen Advice Bureau The Gables Beam Street Nantwich CW5 5NF To make an appointment telephone Local Support Groups The Haematology Support Group is held in Stoke-On-Trent. For dates, please ask the Haematology Nurse Specialist at Stoke or telephone

13 Useful organisations Macmillan Cancer Support Macmillan information database. Freephone: MDS (Myelodysplasia) Support, information and advice. Tel: CLL (Chronic Lymphatic leukaemia) Support Association. Support, information and advice. Tel: / ITP Support (Immune Thrombocytopenia). Support, information and advice. Web access only. Leukaemia Research Foundation Information relating to a variety of blood disorders. Tel: Leukaemia care Information on leukaemia including local support groups. Tel

14 Useful organisations (continued) Myeloma UK Information for patients with Myeloma. Freephone: Lymphoma Association Information for patients with Lymphoma. Freephone:

15 My own notes This section is for you to keep any notes that you may find useful. You do not have to use this section at all if you do not wish to do so. You may wish to make a note of any thoughts or questions you have had about your condition or your treatment. This could include listing any symptoms you have experienced. You may find it is easier to remember your questions if they are written down or you may prefer to show your list to the staff seeing you. It is up to you to decide if you want to show this to the professionals you see. Date My Comments 15

16 If you require urgent help or advice about your treatment at the weekend or outside of normal office hours, please contact the Haematology Unit at University Hospital North Staffs on: Tel: or Information within this document is the responsibility of the patient/patient s carer who must ensure this information is shared in line with the law and that the information within the document is kept securely, is accurate and up to date. The Trust accepts no responsibility for any claims, proceedings, liability, loss, costs or expenses incurred as a result of any claim made or brought by any individual or other legal person in respect of any loss, damage or distress caused to that individual as a result of the loss of this document or any unlawful processing, destruction, damage or other action. This information is available in large print, Braille, audio and other languages. To request a copy, please ask your Macmillan Haematology Nurse Specialist. Printed September 2013 Review September 2015 Ref: DCS/HAEM/