Haematology at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Address

Laboratories Division
Second Floor
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
51 Little France Crescent
Old Dalkeith Road
Edinburgh
EH16 5SA

Contact Telephone Numbers

General Enquiries: 0131 242 6806 (ext 26806)
Duty Haematologist: bleep 6466) - (09:00-17:00h)
Peripheral Blood Counting: ext. 26840
Duty Biomedical Scientist: bleep 6550                                                                      Haemostasis: ext. 26837
Specialist Haematology: ext. 26838
Antenatal Haemoglobinopathy Service: ext. 26838/ 26831
Emergency Requesting: 0131 242 6824 (ext 26824) - (09:00-17:00h)

For Further information on Paediatric Services click here.

Anticoagulant Control

Medical Advice

  • 09:00 – 17:00 hrs
The Haematology Duty Doctor can be contacted via radiopager #6466. 
 
  • 17:00 – 09:00 hrs
The Haematology Duty Doctor and Consultant on call can be contacted via RIE switchboard

Clinical Service - Haematology

A clinical haematology service for advice, in-patient and out-patient consultation, is available on a 24 hour basis.  Medical staff can be contacted either on radiopager  #5817, or via switchboard (please see above).

Blood Clinics

Blood clinics are held daily in the Medical Out-Patients Department
Appointments can be made by referral letter to the Department of Haematology, or by discussion with Haematology clinical staff.  Urgent referrals can be seen at any time following discussion with clinical staff.

Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre

This centre offers comprehensive care for haemophiliacs and patients with haemostatic disorders.  Clinics are held in the centre Monday to Friday.  The centre also provides an outpatient DVT Treatment service.  Appointments can be made by referral letter to the centre, or by discussion with Haematology clinical staff.
 
Reception contact telephone number:  0131 242 1270 (ext. 21270)

National Haemophilia and Thrombotic Genetic Service

This NSD funded molecular genetics service provides mutation analysis, carrier detection and pre-natal diagnosis for inherited bleeding and thrombotic disorders. 

Special Investigations

The following are also available.  Please contact the Department for further advice on appropriate test selection.
 
Morphology
 
Pappenheimer bodies
Bone marrow iron
 
Haemolytic Screens / Investigations
 
EMA binding assay – arrange by request only
 
Haemaglobinopathy Screens / Investigations
 
Haemoglobinopathy screening is recommended for patients from ethnic groups in which abnormal haemoglobin variants are common
A national register for haemoglobinopathy screening is in operation and additional patient details may be requested.  A letter confirming laboratory findings may be sent to the requesting GP, together with a registration card and explanatory leaflet.
 
Haemoglobin S / C / D / E quantitation
Unstable haemoglobin
 
Antenatal Haemoglobinopathy Service
 
 Routine antenatal screening for haemoglobinopathy / thalassaemia was introduced into Scotland during 2011. All pregnant women are offered screening at 10 week booking appointment – EDTA sample must be sent to Haematology Department RIE accompanied by a Family Origin Questionnaire (FOQ). Only the top copy of the questionnaire should be sent to the laboratory –the bottom copy must be retained in patients record. As Lothian and Borders are currently considered areas of low prevalence the FBC result and FOQ will be used to decide which samples undergo full Haemoglobinopathy testing. Partner testing will be requested when positive results are obtained on mother’s sample.
 
 
 
 
Unfractionated Heparin monitoring
Low Molecular Weight Heparin monitoring
Dabigatran
Fondaparinox
Danaparoid
 
Please speak to Haematology medical staff for advice on correct timing of samples for anticoagulant control
 
 
Coagulation Factor Assays
 
Factor II assay
Factor V assay
Factor VII assay
Factor IX assay
Factor X assay
Factor XI assay
Factor XII assay
Factor XIII assay
Factor VIIIC one-stage assay
Factor VIIIC two-stage assay
Factor VIII inhibitor assay
vWF antigen assay
vWF RCoF assay
vWF RCoF inhibitor assay
vWF Multimers
           
            These assays must be pre arranged with Haematology medical staff
 
Additional Thrombotic Investigations
 
Antithrombin antigen
tPA assay
PAI assay
Plasminogen assay
a -2 Antiplasmin assay
Reptilase time
Dilute thrombin time
Thrombin time
Fibrinogen assay (Immune)
 
Platelet Function Studies
 
Platelet aggregation
Platelet nucleotides
Platelet 5HT release
 
These studies must be arranged with Haematology medical staff. Patient will be required to complete pre-sampling questionnaire and attend Haemostasis and Thrombosis Centre
  
Other tests available on a research basis
 
Prothrombin fragment 1 & 2
Thrombin : Antithrombin assay
b2 - Thromboglobulin
D-Dimer (Elisa)
 
Thrombophilia Screening
 
Timing of Thrombophilia screens
 
Thrombophilia screens should be avoided in the presence of:
 
  • Acute thrombosis
  • Anticoagulant administration
  • Pregnancy (and within 12 weeks postpartum)
  • Oestrogen containing medicine
 
Testing should usually be carried out more than 4 weeks after stopping anticoagulant.  Send three green citrated anticoagulated tubes (as for prothrombin times)
 
Thrombophilia Investigations
 
            A.  Heritable thrombophilia screen
 
  1. Coagulation screen
  2. Antithrombin activity
  3. Protein C activity
  4. Free Protein S
 
            B.  Antiphospholipid antibody screen
 
  1. Coagulation screen (inc. APTT-SS)
  2. Lupus sensitive APTT, Lupus anticoagulant screen
  3. Anticardiolipin antibodies
 
            C.  Full thrombophilia screen
 
  1. Heritable thrombophilia screen (refer to A. above)
  2. Antiphospholipid antibody screen (refer to B. above)
  3. FV Leiden
  4. Prothrombin 20210A
Clinical Indications
 
   Please refer to the BCSH Guidelines available on the intranet:
 
 1. Guidelines on the investigation and management of antiphospholipid syndrome.
      David Keeling,  Ian Mackie, Gary W. Moore, Ian A. Greer,  Michael Greaves 
 
 2. Clinical guidelines for testing for heritable thrombophilia
     Trevor Baglin, Elaine Gray, Mike Greaves, Beverley J. Hunt, David Keeling, Sam Machin, Ian Mackie, Mike Makris, Tim Nokes, David Perry,  R. C. Tait,  Isobel Walker  and Henry Watson