Patient Experience

Patient Experience

Introduction

Our Haematology Department is the largest in Ireland and includes the National Adult Stem Cell Transplant Centre. There are six consultant haematologists who provide care for patients with general and malignant haematological disorders, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Each of the haematology consultants has had training in all areas of stem cell transplantation but also have areas of special interest as follows:

  • Dr L. Bacon: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Lymphoma.
  • Professor Browne: Myeloma, Acute Leukaemia.
  • Dr E. Conneally: Acute Leukaemia, Myeloproliferative Disorders.
  • Dr C. Flynn: Acute Leukaemia, Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes.
  • Dr P. Hayden: Myeloma, Acute Leukaemia, Cryobiology/Apheresis.
  • Professor E. Vandenberghe: Lymphomas and Lymphoproliferative Disorders.

There are three components to the Clinical Haemato-Oncology Service:

The Acute Leukaemia/Stem Cell Transplant Service is based on Denis Burkitt Ward. This is a purpose-built facility with 21 single rooms for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation or treatment for acute leukaemia. There is special air filtering in place to minimise the risk of infection. The unit is managed by a clinical nurse manager along with a staff of stem cell transplantation-trained nurses.

Patients requiring less intensive therapy are admitted to one of two dedicated haemato-oncology wards: Walter Stevenson Ward and Donal Hollywood Ward. Patients with a wide range of haematological conditions such as lymphoma, myeloma or myelodysplasia are cared for on this service.

An increasing amount of treatment for haematological cancers is delivered in the day-ward setting on an intermittent basis over several months. Treatment is administered by trained chemotherapy nurses. Clinical nurse specialists are linked to each service to ensure that patients are fully educated about the management of any side-effects of treatment.

We encourage enrolment in clinical trials and are supported by an active clinical trials unit. This ensures that patients have early access to new treatment options, which may not yet be licensed for routine use.

  • Patients are referred to the Haematology Department from general practitioners and consultants throughout Ireland. All referrals are reviewed to ensure that the patient is seen promptly by a consultant with the relevant special interest. 

    Acute Leukaemia

    Lymphoma

    Myeloma

  • Medical Staff

    • Dr Larry Bacon, MB MRCPI FRCPath Ph.D., Consultant Haematologist, with an interest in stem cell transplantation, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and lymphomas.
    • Professor Paul Browne, MB FRCPI FRCPath, Consultant Haematologist, with an interest in stem cell transplantation, myeloma and acute leukaemia.
    • Dr Eibhlin Conneally, MB FRCPI FRCPath, Consultant Haematologist with an interest in stem cell transplantation, acute leukaemia and myeloproliferative disorders.
    • Dr Catherine Flynn, MB FRCPI FRCPath, consultant haematologist with an interest in stem cell transplantation, acute leukaemia and bone marrow failure syndromes.
    • Dr Charles Gilham MRCP, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, with an interest in the treatment of lymphoma using radiation.
    • Dr Cliona Grant, MB MRCPI, Consultant Oncologist, with an interest in high grade lymphomas, Hodgkins lymphomas and HIV-associated lymphomas.
    • Dr Patrick Hayden, BA MD FRCPI FRCPath, Consultant Haematologist, with an interest in stem cell transplantation, myeloma and acute leukaemia.
    • Professor Elisabeth Vandenberghe, MB MRCPI FRCPath PhD, Consultant Haematologist, with an interest in stem cell transplantation, lymphomas and lymphoproliferative disorders, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

    JACIE Quality Manager

    • Being appointed this week

    Clinical Nurse Specialists

    • Ms Elizabeth Higgins, Transplant Coordinator.
    • Ms Mairead Ní Chonghaile, Transplant Coordinator.
    • Ms Amy Mullins, Transplant Co-ordinator
    • Ms Therese Harvey, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Lymphoma (Oncology)
    • Ms Grace Faulkner, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Lymphoma
    • Ms Niamh O’Sullivan, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Myeloma
    • Ms Lorraine Brennan, Clinical Nurse Specialist Acute Leaukaemia
    • Ms Carmel Ann Galligan , Clinical Nurse Specialist in Post-Transplant Follow-Up.
    • Ms Majella Moran , Clinical Nurse Specialist in Post-Transplant Follow-Up.
    • Ms Aileen Smith, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Transplant Late Effects Clinic

    European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Data Manager

    • Mr Greg Lee

  • The Irish Cancer Society funds a Daffodil Centre at St James’s Hospital. This is located beside Private One Ward on the ground floor of the main hospital near the concourse. The centre provides cancer information, support and advice in a hospital setting and is an extension of the society’s Cancer Information Service.

    Irish Cancer Society: www.cancer.ie