ONE of the largest centres for the care of patients with bleeding and clotting disorders has opened in Oxford.  

The Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital opened last week.

It cares for about 8,000 people annually, providing specialist care to patients diagnosed with Haemophilia A, Haemophilia B, von Willebrand disease and other rare bleeding disorders.

The building, which had been a ward and then used for storage, was re-designed and completely refurbished with a budget of £4 million.

READ MORE: South Central Ambulance Service recognised for life-saving campaign

Funding was also provided by the Oxford Hospitals Charity to buy new rehabilitation gym equipment for patients.

Dr Susie Shapiro, head of department for the centre, said: “We are delighted to have successfully moved to our new location at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital.

“Our new centre provides improved clinic and treatment facilities for our patients including an on-site patient gym to help with rehabilitation following bleeds and surgery and keeps our specialist haemostasis laboratory and staff offices altogether.”

Sandy Jeffery, a patient at the centre, said: “Over the years I have been supported and treated through many medical crises.  I am a patient of Dr Susie Shapiro and Dr Nikki Curry, the centre’s consultants, and they and the rest of the staff have created an amazing centre where we can access and receive help and support with any medical problems that we may have.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire County Council will face 'major financial pressures' this winter

“The new centre is much bigger, brighter and has, more importantly, so many more facilities. It is an amazingly well organised and designed centre for us patients to be treated in.”

Staff and patients were joined at the opening by Professor Meghana Pandit, chief executive officer of Oxford University Hospitals trust, Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, who chairs the trust, and Douglas Graham, chief executive officer of Oxford Hospitals Charity, who helped fund the project.

Professor Pandit said: “I am pleased that the new, modernised centre is now officially welcoming patients, and our staff are excited to be working in this new environment where they will benefit from new areas to work.

"We are committed to improving patient experience across the trust, and the relocation of the centre will help us deliver compassionate and high-quality care to patients with bleeding and clotting disorders.”

Dr David Keeling, a retired consultant haematologist and leading expert in haemostasis and thrombosis, after whom one of the laboratories was named, also attended the opening.

He said: “As a clinician, I have always had a keen interest in laboratory haemostasis and was passionate about the integration of laboratory and clinical services.

“I am therefore delighted that the new centre will continue to have a bespoke haemostasis laboratory sited alongside the haemophilia and thrombosis clinical facilities, so that the vital close daily contact between laboratory scientists and clinicians continues. I am most honoured, and humbled, that the laboratory bears my name."

Read more from this author

This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi