Patient information about the lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) team at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. 

 

You have been referred to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s Lymphoma / Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) specialist team. We provide a full service for diagnosis and management of lymphoid cancers in Liverpool and beyond.  

It is important to note that a referral to our team does not always mean you have a diagnosis of cancer. You may also be referred because of having symptoms that need specialist review and tests. This will be explained to you in clinic. 

Some of the services we provide include:

  • A rapid diagnostic clinic for diagnosis of lymphoid malignancy
  • Clinics in Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool (CCC-Liverpool)
  • Clinics in Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Aintree (CCC-Aintree)
  • Outpatient chemotherapy in CCC-Liverpool
  • Outpatient chemotherapy in the Marina Dalglish Centre (Aintree University Hospital))
  • Inpatients on Ward 4 and 5 CCC-Liverpool
  • Blood cancer services to all acute hospitals in Liverpool 
  • Radiotherapy for lymphoma
  • Regional support to haematology teams in Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales

Our clinical team is made up of the following members:

  • Consultants 
  • Specialist Registrar 
  • Advanced Nurse Practitioner
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists 
  • Research Nurses
  • Pharmacist 
  • Consultant Clinical Scientist
  • Pathway Coordinator
  • Cancer support worker

These are the people you are most likely to meet when you come for your clinic appointment, or on the inpatient ward.

These are experts in diagnosing and treating Lymphoma / CLL. They will discuss your diagnosis and possible treatment options, if required, at different stages of the disease. 

Many patients may be eligible for treatment as part of a research study or clinical trial, and your consultant will advise you if this is a potential and appropriate option for you. Please also let us know if you are interested in clinical trials. Our consultants are:

This is a senior doctor who has chosen to become a consultant haematologist, and is working towards this. There is no named registrar in our team, as they rotate through different teams as part of their training.

Our consultant clinical scientist, Tracey Smith-Straney, has many years’ experience as a laboratory scientist specialising in blood cancer diagnosis. She is also fully qualified to manage blood cancer in clinical settings. 

This is a senior nurse specialising in caring for people with Lymphoma / CLL. They are there to help and support you as well as coordinate your care in hospital and at home. 

It can be an overwhelming experience receiving a diagnosis and trying to understand the impact it can have on you and your family. Your CNS can help you to understand your cancer diagnosis and treatment options and support you through your cancer experience. 

Specialist nurses stay with you throughout your treatment journey, from your first clinic appointment to aftercare. They’re there to help with problems and questions you or your family may have.

The nurses plays a major role in supporting you with this. Our clinical nurse specialists are:

  • Lauren Burke
  • Amy Cookson
  • Angela Foster
  • Hayley Glover
  • Jessica Jones

This is a senior specialist nurse. The ANP in Lymphoma / CLL is Chris Ward.

If you are having your treatment as part of a clinical trial, one of our research nurses will act as your specialist nurse. They will coordinate your treatment and act as your support and guide throughout.

Our research nurses are:

  • Jane Tinsley (Lead Research Nurse)
  • Irwin Balquin
  • Darren Keats
  • Aimee Weatherall

The senior pharmacist ensures that any treatment or chemotherapy you receive is prescribed and administered correctly. She will often review any medications you are already taking to make sure no interactions take place.

Any queries relating to medicines or chemotherapy are dealt with by the pharmacist. She or one of her colleagues may conduct a telephone appointment when you are on active treatment. This is to ensure that you are ready for your next treatment dose and are tolerating the treatment well. 

Our senior pharmacist is Aileen McCaughey.

Our pathway coordinator helps speed up and coordinate tests for new patients referred with suspected blood cancers (i.e. patients not known to have a previous diagnosis of blood cancer). 

He also acts as a point of contact if you are undergoing such tests. Our pathway coordinator is Haydn Pidcock.

The lymphoma team secretaries help manage and coordinate clinics, chase investigation results, and coordinate appointments.

Our secretaries are:

For patients aged 18-24 there is a Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) team which includes a specialist nurse, youth support coordinator, and a clinical psychologist. There is also a TYA unit, which is an area dedicated to treating young people with cancer.  

Our TYA specialist nurse is Clare Warburton.

Histopathologists

These are doctors who are experts at identifying cancer cells and carrying out special tests to help our team determine the best treatment option for you. 

Radiologists

These are doctors specially trained to carry out diagnostic tests and interpret X-rays and scans, i.e. CT, PET/CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

Patient Counsellor

Linda Boyne is the counsellor for patients with blood cancer. She supports patients and their families and works Mondays and Tuesdays. She can meet people face to face or speak over the telephone. Linda also runs the patient support group which takes place monthly. 

If you feel you’d like to join the group or speak to Linda privately, please ask one of the team.

Clinical Psychologists

Sometimes patients require more advanced psychological support. Often, one of the team will suggest this to you if they feel it is in your best interests. You may then be referred to the psychology specialist team who will see you separately.

Cancer Support Worker (CSW)

The CSW works alongside the clinical nurse specialists to provide support and information to patients and families. Our CSW is Caron Plimley.