Haematology Services

Our Haematology Service is the clinical speciality involved in the diagnosis and management of patients with blood-related disorders.

We have links to regional centres at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Gateshead Queen Elizabeth hospital. We are involved in specialised care planning within the northern region to plan the best care possible for our patients. This will include trials that may also be available. Trust for haematological malignancy and haemophilia when appropriate.

There are two aspects to this service: laboratory and clinical. Laboratory haematology is carried out by biomedical scientists who analyse blood samples. They work closely with clinical haematologists to discuss the results

The clinical service consists of inpatient care on a specialised ward with trained haematology staff at Sunderland Royal hospital, day cases for chemotherapy investigations and therapeutic interventions at South Tyneside and Sunderland ward referrals and outpatient clinics. Our aim is to provide the best cancer care closer to home throughout the region.

The laboratory supports the hospital and local GPs by offering a range of haematological investigations and a blood transfusion service.

A 24 hour consultant advisory service covers both the laboratory and clinical services. There is always a haematologist available on call 24 hours per day.

On both sites there are purpose built outpatient clinics and day case / chemotherapy clinics. Inpatient facilities are available at Sunderland where we have isolation rooms with heap-air filtration to protect patients with low immune systems.

Our consultant led service has dedicated clinical nurse specialists, additional specialist nursing support and therapies, all of which provide comprehensive care throughout the patient's journey.
Contacting your Specialist Nurse/Key Worker

Contact numbers are detailed on the specialist nurse’s card, given at your first meeting.

Your Specialist Nurse will be available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm. If they are not available to take your call, there is an answer phone service for you to leave a message. When using this service, please leave your name and telephone number. The answer phone is checked regularly throughout the day and your specialist nurse will always try to return your call within the next working day.

Your specialist nurse is happy to be contacted to discuss anything you feel is important. Your discussions will be confidential.

Useful contact numbers:

If you have any concerns, you may contact your Consultant or the specialist team by the telephone numbers below:

Urgent advice line:
  • In Hours: Monday to Friday 8:15am – 18:45pm;  Saturday 8:30am -14:30pm. Tel: 0191 5656256 Bleep 52524
  • Out of Hours: 0191 5656256 bleep 57531

Please wait for a nurse to answer.

Your Consultant & Specialist Team
  • Dr Marshall and Dr Upadhye secretary:  Tel: 0191 5656256 ext. 47582
  • Dr Hervey, Dr Mathews, Dr Nicolle secretary: Tel: 0191 5656256 ext. 47248
  • Dr Chattree and Dr Graves secretary: Tel: 0191 5656256 ext. 47252
  • Anita Carr Haematology Specialist Nurse (Myeloma): Tel: 07920708134
  • Faye Marshall Haematology Specialist Nurse (Leukaemia and MPN): Tel 07876496750
  • Jill Bell Haematology Specialist Nurse (Lymphoma): Tel: 07789948675
  • Lisa Dryburgh Haematology Specialist Nurse: Tel: 07385394420
  • Paula Newton/Jennie Jobling/Angela Dixon; Haematology Research Nurses: Tel: 0191 5656256 ext. 47264
  • Phoenix Unit: Tel: 0191 5656256 ext. 49822
  • OHDU: Tel: 01914041053
  • B28 Inpatient Ward: Tel: 0191 5699728

You can find some useful information on the following websites:

National Blood Service Website

Northern Cancer Alliance

Teenagers and Young Adults

Cancers in teenagers and young adults is quite rare. Most cancers are diagnosed in people who are over the age of 65 years. There are certain cancers which are more likely to affect teenagers and young adults. These can include; bone cancer, brain tumour, leukaemia, lymphoma, ovarian cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, testicular cancer and thyroid cancer.

When cancer is diagnosed in young people, their case will be discussed at a specialist multidisciplinary team meeting and they will be treated at a designated centre of their choice appropriate to their diagnosis. Every young person diagnosed with cancer should be offered the opportunity to be treated at a facility that specialises in cancers in teenagers and young adults.

There are a number of organisations within the UK that provide information and support for teenagers and young adults with cancer, including:

Teenagers & Young Adults Macmillan Cancer Support

A cancer guide for young people answering questions about types of cancer, tests and scans and treatment. It also includes tips and advice for other young people living with cancer.

Teenage Cancer Trust

Offers information and support for people aged 13 to 24. They build cancer units for teenagers and young adults in hospitals, and organise support and information services for patients, their families, schools and health professionals.

Teenagers and Young People with Cancer

Provides cancer information for people aged 13 to 24. They fund and support research into teenage and young adult cancers.

Young Lives vs Cancer

Young Lives vs Cancer is a charity that helps children and young people (0-25) and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.

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