Being a non-malignant haematologist, I have always hated the term non-malignant! Even though I’m told by those who know me that I am not malignant, I don’t think anything (or anyone) should be defined by what it isn’t. I know I’m not alone in this.
A few of us have settled on the term ‘medical haematology’ to denote haematology that doesn’t qualify as haemato-oncology. We feel it better reflects the fundamental role haematologists play in the management of medical and surgical patients and the life-threatening nature of haematological disease that may be non-malignant – whoops, I mean not cancerous.
Other countries have had similar thoughts and have advocated for the term ‘classical haematology’. We thought this could be viewed as egotistical or old-fashioned, and we are neither. We are as much not these as we are not non-malignant.
We would be interested in your feedback on the term ‘medical haematology’. Please send us your thoughts to [email protected].
I was tempted to say the entire field of medical practice could be subdivided into haematology and non-haematology, and workforce numbers should be balanced equally. But perhaps this is a step too far. I have been told this is displaying malignant tendencies!
We differ from other medical specialties in that we are dually qualified and have a large laboratory practice, which provides key services for primary and secondary care.
We should make more of this. And with this in mind, we are planning for National Pathology Week, 4-10 November 2024.
We have had many ideas, including laboratory-based webinars, activities to add to our image library or case study repository or training for biomedical scientists on how to pass RCPath and become a clinical scientist.
If you would like to work with our team to build some exciting activities for the week, please let the Society know by emailing us at [email protected] as soon as possible.
One consequence of providing a comprehensive pathology service is that we do more liaison work than most specialties. The additional advice we give healthcare practitioners to help them manage their patients is crucial, saving missed diagnoses and opportunities for treatment and reducing unnecessary or inappropriate investigations, therapies, appointments or hospitalisation.
Yet its value and time commitment have always been under-recognised, with the potential negative consequences of rushed advice, uncertain accountability and insecure indemnification. By providing a clear description of this liaison work, we can identify the time needed for this activity and ensure future job plans adequately accommodate this vital aspect of our work.
Dr Jonathan Massie and Dr Nicola Ransome, our two clinical fellows engaged in our Workforce Project with Professor Adele Stewart-Lord at London Southbank University, conducted a modified Delphi survey to devise an agreed definition of liaison haematology. The definition is being prepared for publication, and we plan to take this work forward with further research into this important area of our workload.
I would also like to invite expressions of interest from current BSH members to act as a representative for the Society on the National Blood Transfusion Committee (NBTC), which reports directly to NHS England on hospital transfusion practice in England. In the wake of the Infected Blood Inquiry, with significant ongoing pressures on blood stocks and the run-up to a Transfusion Transformation strategy, there is no more exciting time to be involved in this aspect of haematology.
To express your interest in becoming a BSH representative on the NBTC, please email [email protected] by Friday, 30 August 2024.