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The Roald Dahl Centre

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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.

Who we are

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.

What we treat

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:

  • Liaison with Accident and Emergency Departments and AMU Departments
  • Pathway of care for Patients with suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis
  • Patient counselling
  • Liasion with Day-Case departments. E.gs Gastoenterology, St Pauls
  • New oral anticoagulations and Indications 
  • Trust wide information, education and advice to enable the most appropriate level of care for our patients

Community Based Service

  • Nurse led service
  • Face to face consultation, reducing need for separate
  • Continual review process, medicine management 
  • On site testing which provides immediate results for patients
  • Immediate dose titration
  • Follow up appointment 
  • Independent Nurse Prescriber - repeat prescriptions 
  • Flexibility built into service to meet patient requirements
  • Direct referrals from GP's
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism pathway of care

 
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 - 12.3​​0pm-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  

Email Andy Houghton here

0151 706 2000 bleep 4931 / 0151 706 4702 / 0151 706 4322.

What are Haemoglobinopathies

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.

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