The Roald Dahl Centre in Liverpool gives advice and care to patients with problems with their blood flow and clotting. Find out more on this page.
The Roald Dahl Haemostasis and Thrombosis Centre in Liverpool was opened in July 2001. Funded by the Roald Dahl Foundation, this physical structure has enabled better administration of our services in Coagulation Medicine.
We have also forged further clinical and research links. The Centre is one of only 26 nationally accredited Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centres. We are a Reference Centre for the Merseyside and North Wales region. We take referrals from across this whole area for patients with bleeding disorders.
We provide advice diagnosis and on going care. The clinical spectrum encompasses patients with severe thrombotic problems of both congenital and acquired aetiologies.
The Centre has placed a strong focus on the patient environment being comfortable and welcoming. We have been awarded grants that have enabled us to develop our patient areas in this way.
The Thrombophilia and Thrombosis Centre is a unique service dedicated
solely to the assessment and treatment of the conditions. The Service consists of three consultants, a registrar and a nurse specialist, all experts in the conditions.
Each patient can expect to receive an individualised clotting risk assessment and treatment plan.
We work very closely with all areas of the hospital and the community when expert advice is required to treat our patients. All patients receive a green card that they can carry with them at all times to alert others in case of emergency of their condition and to provide information on how to contact the team if needed.
We also run a specialist haematology obstetric clinic at the Liverpool Womens Hospital to support all patients requiring input to care due to their condition in relation to obstetrics.
You can find more information on Thrombophilia on NHS Choices Thrombophilia page
New patients are seen by one of the senior medical team.The initial appointment will include past medical history, family history relating to bruising and bleeding,blood tests and other relevant investigations. A follow up appointment will be booked to discuss results and plan future care.
You will be provided with information regarding the drop in service and how to access advice and treatment out of hours.
Patients from all over the North West, are registered with us and are reviewed regularly. They are assessed for physiotherapy, orthopaedic, dental and other relevant medical specialty needs.
Genetic counselling and testing
We maintain a register of families at risk or affected by inherited bleeding disorders. This enables us to support all potential carriers and provide them with support, advice and testing if they wish to access it.
Home Delivery Service
Patients are supported with home treatment. Home delivery of factor products is available for eligible patients and this will be discussed with you and assessed for eligibility at your appointments. This provides a personalised, efficient and convenient method of receiving factor product
Our Anticoagulation Service is a predominantly nurse led service. All new patients will be seen by either a highly trained and experienced nurse practitioner or a senior member of the medical team. We always take an approach to care that recognises patients physical, psychological and social needs.
Thrombosis
We focus on prevention of thrombosis and engage in familial screening of thrombotic defects. We coordinate the monitoring of anticoagulation therapy for the city and facilitate home and community testing as much as possible. Our emphasis is on enabling patients to be treated as outpatients whenever this is safe and acceptable to the patient. Almost 5,000 patients are registered and we liaise with Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Opthalmology and Day Case Surgery services to ensure optimal warfarin therapy during surgical procedures.
Laboratory
The Coagulation Laboratory compliments the clinical service. We provide routine coagulation tests such as the prothrombin time and the monitoring of warfarin therapy. We also provide up to date specialised testing including the genetics of haemophilia and thrombophilia.
Education
We try and ensure patients understand their conditions and relevant therapies so they are able to maintain wellbeing.
Out Patient Clinics
Resources to other teams:
Community Based Service
Community Clinics and Times
Monday – 1-3.30pm
Gateacre Brow Surgery, 256 Hunts Cross Avenue, Woolton, L25 8QT
Tuesday - 8.30am-12.20pm
Derby Lane Medical Center, 88 Derby Lane, Old Swan, L13 3DN
Tuesday - 12.30pm-3.30pm
South Liverpool Treatment Centre,32 Church Road, Garston,L19 2LW
Wednesday - 8.30-12.30pm
Gateacre Brow Surgery, 256 Hunts Cross Avenue, Woolton, L25 8QT
Wednesday - 1.30pm-4.00pm
Greenbank Road Surgery, 1B Greenbank Road, L18 1HG
Thursday - 12.10pm-3.30pm
Fulwood Green Medical Centre, 2A Jericho Lane Aigburth, L17 5AR
Friday - 12.30pm-4.00pm
Valley Medical Centre, Hartsbourne Avenue, Childwall,L25 1RY
Your first appointment will be at The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen
University Hospitals Trust.
You will meet the consultant and clinical nurse specialist. They will discuss your past medical history, complete some clinical observations and take some blood and urine from you.
Please expect to be here for approximately 1 hour.
The Haemoglobinopathy Team
Prof Toh, Dr Martlew, Dr Dutt and Andy Houghton.
Any queries or question concerning your condition, future or past appointments please contact
0151 706 2000 bleep 4931 / 0151 706 4702 / 0151 706 4322.
Click the links below to read our current research:
Haemoglobinopathies refers to a range of genetically inherited disorders of red blood cell haemoglobin and includes sickle cell disease and the thalassaemias.
Sickle cell disease and beta thalassaemia major are two of the commonest forms of these genetically inherited disorders.
They occur most commonly in populations whose ancestors come from
Africa, Asia, Mediterranean Islands, Middle and Far East, because of migration and intermarriage they are also seen in the Caribbean, South America and other parts of the world including Britain and North America. Alpha thalassaemia is most common in South East Asia, Hong Kong and China. In the UK an estimated one in 300 babies of African-Caribbean parents and one in 60 of West African parents are born with sickle cell disease each year.
An estimated 8,000-10,000 people with sickle cell disease and 600 with thalassaemia major live in the UK.
Approximately 1 in 4 West African, 1 in 10 African-Caribbean, 1 in 50 Asian and 1 in 100 Northern Greek have sickle cell trait (carrier state). Whilst 1 in 7 Greek, 1 in 10-20 Asian, 1 in 50 African and African-Caribbean and 1 in 1000 English people have beta thalassaemia trait. Worldwide a thalassaemia carrier states are commoner than ß thalassaemia carrier states.