Immunohaematology Service - for professionals
Oxford Immunohaematology Service supports patients from Oxford University Hospitals and is the TTP referral centre for:
- Frimley Park Hospital
- Great Western Hospital
- Milton Keynes University Hospital
- Royal Berkshire Hospital
- Stoke Mandeville Hospital
- Wexham Park Hospital
- Wycombe Hospital.
We assist with the management of complex patients with:
- immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
- autoimmune haemolytic anaemic (AIHA)
- cold haemagglutinin disease (CHAD)
- autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT)
from the Thames Valley region and continue outpatient care for all patients with TTP, in collaboration with regional hospitals as appropriate.
Services
Our services include:
- investigation of patients with immunohaematological conditions
- emergency treatment for acute immunohaematological presentations
- regular assessments, reviews and monitoring
- psychology
- access to genetic testing and counselling for inherited thrombocytopenias and congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura,
- information, education and online support sessions for patients and carers
- individual support and counselling
- information and advice for health care professionals and employers
- participation in clinical research and opportunity for patients to take part in clinical trials and national registries.
Referrals
Please visit Clinical Haematology referrals
Conditions treated
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
Urgent care for TTP is provided at the Churchill Hospital and John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. We have the support of a highly experienced team of haematologists, apheresis/plasma exchange specialists, intensive care specialists, renal specialists, and laboratory scientists.
Plasma exchange is performed by our specialist colleagues from the Therapeutic Apheresis Unit from NHS Blood and Transplant, who are based at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Our specialist laboratories offer 24/7 high quality rapid response for TTP diagnosis (ADAMTS13) and on-site controlled stock of specific plasma (Octaplas).
Long-term follow-up is through outpatient clinic appointments at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford. Patients may access health psychology through these clinics and are monitored for any early signs of TTP recurring.
Patients requiring rituximab for subclinical relapses of TTP are treated on the haematology day unit at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford.
The multidisciplinary team provides regular postgraduate education to maintain awareness and understanding of this condition to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
We are a specialist ITP clinical centre. Urgent care for ITP is provided at the Churchill Hospital and John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
We have rapid access to a full range of treatments including steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, thrombopoietin receptor agonists, anti-D, rituximab, mycophenolate and other immunosuppressants.
Long-term follow-up is through outpatient appointments in Haematology Outpatients, Churchill Hospital, Oxford. Patients have access to written/electronic information, online patient support sessions and health psychology.
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and cold haemagglutinin disease (CHAD)
Urgent care for AIHA and CHAD is provided at the Churchill Hospital and John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. We have close links with our colleagues specialising in rheumatology, obstetrics, haematology and bone marrow transplantation. Specialist laboratory tests for diagnosis and monitoring are undertaken on-site.
Long-term follow-up is through outpatient clinic appointments at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford. A full range of treatments are available including steroids, rituximab, immunosuppressants and erythropoietin. Blood transfusion can be provided on the adjacent haematology day treatment unit.
Autoimmune neutropenia (AIN)
Urgent care for AIN is provided at the Churchill Hospital and John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. There is rapid access for treatment for neutropenic sepsis or neutropenic fevers.
Long-term follow-up is through outpatient clinic appointments at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford.
Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT)
We support the feto-maternal unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in the management of NAIT. Treatments including corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin and intrauterine platelet transfusions are provided through the feto-maternal medicine unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
We have close links with transfusion medicine specialists and with the NHS Blood and Transplant platelet immunology service.