The Haematology and Transfusion service has laboratories on both Trust acute sites – at Maidstone Hospital and at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. We provide a comprehensive clinical service to the hospitals, the local Clinical Commissioning Group and the community. Some specialist investigations are provided through arrangements with specialised laboratories throughout the UK.
The majority of requests originating in primary care are transported directly to the main automated laboratory at Maidstone Hospital. The majority of inpatient and outpatient work is conducted on the originating site. There is 24 hour support, 365 days a year on both sites for urgent patient management.
The Haematology and Blood Transfusion laboratories are assessed by the National Pathology accreditation body United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) against ISO 15189:2012 standards.
Information about UKAS accredited repertoire scope.
Testing guidelines and protocols
Guidelines for investigation and management of Haematological disorders in Primary Care
The guidelines below have been written to provide guidance on investigating and managing haematological disorders in primary care. If your query is not answered by these guidelines please contact the on-call Haematologist via Kinesis. For all urgent queries please contact the on-call Haematologist via Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust switchboard on telephone 01622 729000.
Coagulation testing
Anticoagulation
- Anticoagulation guidelines – pre, peri and post-operative guidance
- A Brief Guide to Using DOACs
- DOAC Haemorrhage protocol
- Anticoagulation in Patients with Active Malignancy
- Algorithm for Management of Bleeding and Excessive Anticoagulation on Warfarin
- Algorithm for Use of Temporary Inferior Vena Caval Filters
Management of Venous Thromboses
- Guidelines for managing patients with possible DVT with negative doppler USS
- Superficial Thrombophlebitis guidelines
Management of Raised Ferritin
Investigation of Cytopaenias
Red cell disorders
- Summary pathway for investigation and referral of anaemia
- Algorithm for Managing Iron Deficiency Anaemia
- Algorithm for Managing Microcytic Anaemia
- Algorithm for Managing Normocytic and Macrocytic Anaemia
- MTW protocol for investigations for B12 deficiency
- Algorithm for investigating and referral of Polycythaemia
White cell disorders
- Algorithm for Managing Lymphopaenia
- Algorithm for Managing Lymphocytosis
- Algorithm for Investigation and Referral for Adults with Neutropenia
- Guidelines for Referral and Investigation of Eosinophilia
Platelet disorders
- Algorithm for Managing Thrombocytopaenia in Primary Care
- Algorithm for managing Thrombocytosis in Primary Care
Pregnancy
Management of CLL and Paraproteins in the community
Haematology Reference Ranges, Critical Telephone Criteria
Transfusion services
The department offers
- antenatal grouping and antibody screen
- histocompatability and immunogenetics
- Private blood grouping and antibody screen (for travel abroad)
- provision of blood products within the hospital environment