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Haematology · UK

Haematology treatment, by a consultant haematologist.

The whole specialty under one roof - anaemia to acute leukaemia, ITP to myeloma. British Society for Haematology guidance, NICE-approved therapy, and MDT-led cancer care at UK Cancer Alliance centres.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private haematology treatment costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers. High-cost drugs (CAR-T, bispecifics, Casgevy) are commissioned via NHS England and NICE - we route you into the right pathway.

In short

£300–£500, results triaged .

Service Indicative range
New haematology consultation £300–£500
IV iron infusion (Ferinject / Monofer) £600–£1,200
Anticoagulation clinic (DOAC / warfarin) £250–£450
Rituximab infusion (per cycle) £1,800–£3,500
Bone marrow biopsy under LA £900–£1,600
Follow-up review £200–£350

Prices vary by clinic, by consultant, and by drug regimen. High-cost therapies - CAR-T, bispecific antibodies, Casgevy gene therapy - are funded via the Cancer Drugs Fund and NICE TAs on defined pathways, not paid privately per cycle.

The problem

The right haematologist, the right MDT, the right drug.

Haematology moves fast - new NICE approvals, new bispecifics, new CAR-T indications every quarter. What matters is landing on the pathway that fits your disease and your fitness, without months of drift.

  • Abnormal bloods, no explanation?

    A film, reticulocytes, haematinics, immunoglobulins and flow - targeted, not a shotgun panel.

  • Suspected haem cancer?

    Straight to an MDT-led consultant, not to a waiting-list letter. Diagnosis, staging and plan in weeks.

  • Chronic condition, no continuity?

    One named haematologist for your CLL, CML, ITP or myeloma - for years, not one appointment.

When it helps

When haematology treatment is the right step.

The conditions we treat most, from benign anaemia and clotting to leukaemia and myeloma - plus the one red flag that means A&E rather than an appointment.

  • Iron-deficiency anaemia

    Low ferritin, fatigue, breathlessness - oral iron alternate-day dosing, or IV iron for intolerance, malabsorption, IBD or CKD.

  • VTE and atrial fibrillation

    DOACs (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, dabigatran) as NICE first-line; warfarin or LMWH where indicated.

  • ITP and autoimmune cytopenias

    Steroids first-line, TPO-RAs (eltrombopag, romiplostim), rituximab, fostamatinib for refractory disease.

  • Bleeding disorders

    Haemophilia A/B factor concentrate, emicizumab, VWF concentrate, DDAVP and tranexamic acid - coordinated with a haemophilia centre.

  • Sickle cell and thalassaemia

    Hydroxycarbamide, transfusion, iron chelation (deferasirox, deferiprone), crizanlizumab, and - for eligible patients - Casgevy CRISPR gene therapy.

  • CLL, CML and myeloproliferative disease

    Ibrutinib and acalabrutinib for CLL; imatinib, dasatinib or nilotinib for CML; ruxolitinib for myelofibrosis and PV.

  • Myeloma and lymphoma

    Daratumumab, isatuximab, bispecific antibodies, autologous transplant, and CAR-T for relapsed or refractory disease.

  • Red flag: neutropenic sepsis

    Fever above 38°C in anyone on chemotherapy is an emergency - A&E within the hour, not a clinic call.

Treatment options

Chemotherapy is only one of many options.

The main treatment families in modern UK haematology - from oral iron and DOACs to bispecifics, HSCT and CAR-T.

  • Iron therapy - oral and IV

    Alternate-day ferrous sulphate for absorption; IV Ferinject, Monofer or Diafer where oral fails or malabsorption applies.

  • Anticoagulation and reversal

    DOACs first-line, warfarin for mechanical valves or APLS, LMWH in pregnancy and cancer-associated VTE. PCC, andexanet alfa and idarucizumab for urgent reversal.

  • ITP and platelet therapy

    Prednisolone, eltrombopag (Revolade), romiplostim (Nplate), rituximab, fostamatinib, and splenectomy as last-line.

  • Sickle cell and thalassaemia care

    Hydroxycarbamide, exchange transfusion, iron chelation, crizanlizumab (Adakveo), voxelotor and Casgevy gene therapy for eligible patients.

  • Targeted therapy - TKIs and BTKis

    Imatinib, dasatinib and nilotinib for CML; ibrutinib and acalabrutinib for CLL and MCL; venetoclax, ruxolitinib and FLT3 inhibitors as indicated.

  • Monoclonal and bispecific antibodies

    Rituximab, obinutuzumab, daratumumab, elotuzumab, isatuximab, and bispecifics (blinatumomab, teclistamab, glofitamab, epcoritamab, elranatamab).

  • Cellular therapy - HSCT and CAR-T

    Autologous transplant for myeloma and lymphoma; allogeneic for leukaemia, MDS, SCD and thalassaemia. CAR-T (Kymriah, Yescarta, Tecartus, Breyanzi, Abecma, Carvykti) at commissioned UK centres.

  • Supportive care

    Transfusion, G-CSF, TPO-RAs, antibiotic and antifungal prophylaxis, PCP cover (Septrin), and radiotherapy for lymphoma where appropriate.

Safety and what has changed

Haematology treatment in 2026 - honestly, and up to date.

Where the specialty actually is: CML now matches age-matched survival; CLL median survival is over 15 years; DLBCL is cured in 60–70% of cases; SCD and thalassaemia are potentially curable with HSCT or Casgevy. Supportive care carries the quality of life.

  • Alternate-day oral iron is better absorbed

    Moretti Blood 2015 showed alt-day dosing gives better fractional absorption than daily - we use 200mg ferrous sulphate or fumarate alt-day as standard.

  • IV iron for the right patient

    Ferinject, Monofer or Diafer are used where oral iron is not tolerated, does not absorb (IBD, coeliac, gastric surgery), or the patient has CKD.

  • DOACs are NICE first-line

    For VTE and non-valvular AF, DOACs (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, dabigatran) beat warfarin on convenience and bleeding profile.

  • Warfarin still matters

    Mechanical heart valves, antiphospholipid syndrome, extreme BMI and severe renal impairment remain warfarin indications.

  • Emicizumab has changed haemophilia

    Hemlibra (NICE TA577) is a subcutaneous bispecific that prevents bleeds in haemophilia A - with or without inhibitors - replacing three-times-weekly infusions.

  • CML now matches age-matched survival

    TKIs have turned CML from a fatal disease into a chronic one - long-term survival on imatinib, dasatinib or nilotinib now approaches the general population.

  • CAR-T is real, and NICE-approved

    Kymriah, Yescarta, Tecartus, Breyanzi, Abecma and Carvykti are all funded for defined indications - DLBCL, ALL, MCL and myeloma - via Cancer Alliance centres.

  • Gene therapy has arrived

    Casgevy (CRISPR) is NICE-approved for sickle cell disease (TA1011) and β-thalassaemia (TA1012) - potentially curative for eligible patients.

  • Red flags

    Fever on chemotherapy, sudden severe headache on anticoagulation, unexplained bruising or bleeding, or breathlessness at rest - all warrant same-day medical review.

Reading your clinic letter

Your haematology letter in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever condition and whichever treatment, the letter your haematologist sends you keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant haematologist reviewing a patient’s bone marrow report

A quiet reminder

Haematology language is dense - WHO subtype, ISS stage, Deauville score - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the letter before your next review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Diagnosis and staging

    The exact haematological diagnosis - WHO subtype for cancers, plus staging (Ann Arbor, Binet, ISS, IPSS-R) where relevant.

  2. 02 Technique

    Treatment plan and drug choice

    The specific regimen, why it was chosen, the NICE TA it sits under, and - for cancer care - the MDT date and decision.

  3. 03 Findings

    Response and monitoring

    Molecular response (BCR-ABL for CML), MRD (for ALL, myeloma), imaging response (Deauville for lymphoma), or transfusion independence.

  4. 04 Impression

    What comes next and when to worry

    Read this first: the next appointment, the next scan or bloods, and the specific symptoms that mean you call the on-call haematology team.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Insurer cover for haematology varies by policy - outpatient consultations, day-unit infusions and bone marrow biopsies are typically covered. High-cost drugs (CAR-T, bispecifics, Casgevy) are funded via NHS pathways rather than PMI.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about haematology treatment.

Quick answers on iron therapy, anticoagulation, leukaemia cures, CAR-T access and what to do on chemotherapy.

  • What does a haematologist actually treat?

    Everything to do with blood - anaemia, clotting problems (VTE, AF), bleeding disorders (haemophilia, VWD, ITP), sickle cell and thalassaemia, and blood cancers (leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, MDS, MPNs). Benign and malignant, adult and paediatric.

  • Is oral iron or IV iron better for iron deficiency?

    Oral is first-line - alternate-day 200mg ferrous sulphate or fumarate absorbs better than daily dosing (Moretti Blood 2015). IV iron (Ferinject, Monofer, Diafer) is reserved for intolerance, malabsorption (IBD, coeliac), CKD, or where a rapid rise is needed.

  • DOAC or warfarin - which will I be put on?

    For most VTE and non-valvular AF, NICE recommends a DOAC (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban or dabigatran) first-line. Warfarin remains standard for mechanical heart valves, antiphospholipid syndrome, extreme BMI and severe renal impairment. LMWH is used in pregnancy and cancer-associated VTE.

  • Can leukaemia really be cured?

    For many patients, yes - or controlled indefinitely. CML on a TKI has survival that now matches the age-matched population. CLL patients have median survival over 15 years. Childhood ALL cures 90%+. Even AML and DLBCL have curative pathways for a substantial proportion. The picture is nothing like it was 20 years ago.

  • What is CAR-T therapy and can I have it in the UK?

    CAR-T uses your own T-cells, re-engineered to target the cancer. Six products (Kymriah, Yescarta, Tecartus, Breyanzi, Abecma, Carvykti) are NICE-approved and funded for defined indications - relapsed DLBCL, ALL, MCL and myeloma - delivered at commissioned centres including Kings, UCLH, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Nottingham.

  • Is there a cure for sickle cell disease?

    Allogeneic stem cell transplant has cured sickle cell for years, but needs a matched donor and carries risk. Casgevy (CRISPR gene therapy) is now NICE-approved (TA1011) as a potentially curative option for eligible patients aged 12+, delivered at UK Cancer Alliance centres.

  • How is haemophilia treated now?

    Factor VIII or IX concentrate remains standard for on-demand and prophylactic care. For haemophilia A, emicizumab (Hemlibra, NICE TA577) is a subcutaneous bispecific antibody that prevents bleeds - including in patients with inhibitors - and has transformed quality of life.

  • What happens if I get a fever on chemotherapy?

    A temperature above 38°C on chemotherapy is neutropenic sepsis until proven otherwise - go to A&E immediately, ideally within an hour of the fever starting. IV antibiotics within 60 minutes save lives. Do not wait for a clinic call-back.