Introduction to the Myeloma Service at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH)

This leaflet aims to give you, your family and carers information about the CUH Myeloma Service.

The Myeloma Service at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) specialises in the management of myeloma and associated plasma cell disorders, such as Amyloidosis, MGUS, Poems seeing around 100 patients per week. We are a Myeloma UK Clinical Service Excellence Programme accredited centre. The CUH Myeloma service has a large multi-disciplinary team who work closely together to provide collaborative, patient-centred decision making.

We run specific Consultant, Specialty Registrar and Clinical Nurse Specialist Led Myeloma Clinic’s and provide a dedicated weekly regional specialist myeloma MDT for the East of England. We strive to ensure that our MDT recommendations continually evolve in-line with the very latest developments in myeloma diagnostics, treatments and supportive care.

As a part of the wider myeloma MDT at CUH, we also have access to dedicated specialist support services including: Enhanced supportive care services that provide holistic active care through symptom management and provision of emotional and psychological support, clinical oncologists, cardio-oncology, nephrology, immunology and spinal and orthopaedic services. We run an active myeloma clinical trial programme with our dedicated myeloma clinical trials team and have trials catering for patients with newly diagnosed and relapsing myeloma, with the sole aim of providing our patients with access to novel treatments.

The team

The myeloma team is made up of consultants, clinical nurse specialists (CNS) and specialist registrars/ clinical fellows, all of whom have specialist knowledge of myeloma to support you on your journey.

Consultants

Dr Faisal Basheer

Dr Helen Bentley

Dr Marquita Camilleri

Dr Michael Chapman

Dr Charles Crawley

Dr Andrew King

Dr Elena Ganendra

Clinical nurse specialists

Sarah Foody

Veronica Lewis

Megan Graham

Haematology Consultant

Your designated Myeloma consultant will have overall responsibility for your care, ensuring you receive holistic treatment for your condition.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Our clinical nurse specialists will be your myeloma key workers, providing information and support throughout your Myeloma Journey.

Specialist Haematology Registrar/Clinical Fellow

Specialist registrars/myeloma clinical fellows are experienced doctors who will work alongside other members of the team in the management of your condition.

Other team members

We work closely with Haematology Day Unit and the Acute Oncology Service (AOS) teams to provide reviews and treatments. We have designated Haematology Inpatient Beds and a Cancer Assessment Unit, and work closely with our designated Myeloma Clincal Trials Team to ensure you have access to clinical trials where possible. Other team members you may meet include radiologists, healthcare assistants, pharmacists, clinical oncologists, dietitians, physiotherapists and administrative team. The Macmillan Cancer Navigator provides practical and emotional support to patients and their carers.

Your appointments

Clinic appointments will be sent in writing via post, or electronically via text or ‘MyChart’. Mychart is the CUH electronic patient portal that gives you online access to your clinic appointments, results and letters at CUH. It can be accessed on MyChart.

Clinic reviews mostly take place over the telephone although video or in person reviews in our Myeloma Clinic.

At your appointment, you will be reviewed by your consultant or another member of the myeloma team. As CUH is a teaching hospital, trainee doctors and nurses may be present in clinic with your consent. We encourage you to bring a close relative or friend to clinic although this may be limited at various times by infection control measures. Please check the latest hospital guidance before attending The Myeloma Clinic is located Clinic 1a on Level 4 accessed through Haematology/ Oncology Outpatients. Myeloma Clinics take place on:

• Monday – CNS-led telephone clinic
• Tuesday - Consultant-led, Specialty Registrar, Clinical Fellow or CNS-led
• Friday - CNS and Myeloma Specialty Registrar/Clinical Fellow

Your consultant will decide which clinic is most suitable for you.

Prior to your clinical reviews you will be informed whether you need a blood test ahead of the appointment. These blood tests will be requested by the Hospital Team and can be done at Newmarket Road Park and Ride Service, at the Oncology/Haematology Phelbotomy Service located in the main Oncology Outpatient Area. Alternatively, with your GP Practice Permission these can be done locally at the Surgery, and at Local Community Diagnositic Centres – you will be provided with blood forms prior to this.

Any treatments that you need that require an Outpatient attendance will be done either in our Haematology Day Unit, or at one of our Outreach Sites at either Sawston or Littleport.

Clinical trials

CUH is a busy research centre and is involved in clinical trials supported by the Haematology trials team. You are encouraged to enquire about any clinical trials which may be relevant to you. If eligible, your consultant will discuss any relevant trials in your clinic appointment.

Contact Numbers

To change a clinic appointment, call Oncology reception on 01223 216551

To change a Haematology Day Unit appointment call 01223 217720

For urgent queries or if you are unwell (available 24/7), call 01223 274225

For non-urgent medical queries, leave a message for the CNS on 01223 596279 option 2

For non-medical or practical support, the Macmillan Cancer Navigator can be contacted on 01223 216876.

Other support/ information

Who?

Myeloma UK

Myeloma UK (opens in a new tab)

A charity committed to supporting patients with myeloma and similar disorders. They publish excellent information leaflets.

Blood cancer UK

Blood Cancer UK (opens in a new tab)

A charity with information about all types of blood cancer but with some specific to myeloma.

Macmillan UK

Macmillan UK (opens in a new tab)

A charity that provides helpful practical advice (including financial advice) for patients with cancer.

Cambridge Myeloma support group

Cambridge Myeloma Support Group (opens in a new tab).

A local support group for those who live in the area. Contact details are on the webpage listed.

Maggie’s Cambridge

Maggie's Cambridge (opens in a new tab)

A charity providing support for cancer patients and their carers before during and after treatment. They offer one-to-one support, host group activities and provide a calming space on the CUH campus where you can get away from it all.

Privacy and dignity

Same sex bays and bathrooms are offered in all wards except critical care and theatre recovery areas where the use of high-tech equipment and/or specialist one to one care is required.