The Allogeneic Transplantation Service is part of the Parkville Integrated Haematology Service and is located at the VCCC in Parkville. Our service is the largest transplant service in Victoria and the second largest in Australia. In addition to providing allogeneic transplants to patients throughout Victoria, we also provide allogeneic transplants for all patients from Tasmania. We undertake approximately 100 allogeneic transplants per year and provide expert advice and care to many additional patients and donors in relation to long-term follow-up and survivorship care.
Allogeneic transplantation is the process by which the transplantation of donor cells is used to treat a range of blood conditions including leukaemia, myelodysplasia, lymphoma, myeloma and aplastic anaemia.
Our inpatient service is based in the purpose-built 7B ward. The allogeneic transplant service utilises the skill and expertise of consultant haematologists, specialist nurses, specialist allied health staff and the 7B inpatient nursing team as well as dedicated administrative staff. In addition the allogeneic transplant team provides care in the outpatient setting through the Same Day Medical Unit. Our aim is to provide seamless care through allogeneic transplantation from expert initial advice through to long-term post-transplant care including late-effects monitoring.
We pride ourselves as a world-class specialist transplantation service that provides an evidence-based approach to treatment choice delivered by a highly effective multidisciplinary and supportive care team. Our wider team includes expert dietitians, psychologists, physiotherapists and pharmacists, each integral in the delivery of allogeneic transplantation care.
The service is directed by Prof. David Ritchie.
We perform allogeneic transplantation on selected patients with leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, lymphoma, myeloma and aplastic anaemia.
Partners
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Clinics
Clinics occur on a Monday and Tuesday.
Clinical Trials
Research is integral to our service in allogeneic transplantation. You may be approached at the time of your initial or subsequent consultations regarding your potential participation in ongoing research projects.
Referrals
For patients
The Allogeneic Transplantation Service will work closely with your main haematologist to deliver the best transplant choices and care.
Just as each patient’s diagnosis is different, the role of allogeneic transplantation for your individual situation will also be different. Factors that will help your transplant team decide on the best course of action include the nature of your diagnosis, the way that it has responded to treatment so far, other medical conditions you might have and the type of donor that is available to you.
As your transplant specialist discusses treatment options with you, each of these factors will be outlined in detail. It may be that the best course of action is not to proceed with a transplant. Whatever the case, the transplant team will arrive at the best course of action only after full discussion with you, your family and your primary haematologist.
Once a decision is made to proceed to transplant our transplant coordinator will work closely with you and your family to provide ongoing advice and support and organise all of the aspects of your care.
For stem cell donors
If you are donating bone marrow or stem cells for a relative, you will receive independent advice separate from the advice your relative receives. This is critically important so that your confidentiality and best interests are protected.
Once a decision is made to proceed to testing to see if you are a match and/or once a donation has been arranged, our donor coordinator will work closely with you and your family to provide ongoing advice and support and to organise all of the aspects of your work-up and donation.
For health professionals
Transplantation
Usually referral for consideration for transplantation is made by the patient’s primary haematologist. In the first instance it is best to undertake discussions with them if possible. If, for any reason, you would like to discuss additional aspects of your patient’s transplant, please contact the head of the Allogeneic Transplant Service Prof. David Ritchie by email at [email protected].
Patient referral for consideration for allogeneic transplant is usually made by the patient’s primary haematologist. We recommend a discussion between the referring haematologist and BMT physician prior to formal referral and review. If, for any reason, you would like to discuss additional aspects of your patient’s transplant, please contact Prof. David Ritchie.
Post-transplant follow-up
If your patient has had an allogeneic transplant and you have a query about any aspect of their care please contact their transplant physician directly or, if you don't know who their physician is, contact our service via [email protected].
We offer a long-term follow-up service for all allogeneic transplant recipients who are two or more years post transplant. This service provides expert multidisciplinary assessment and monitoring for the long-term side effects of pre- and post-transplant treatment. If you believe that your patient may benefit from this service please contact our allogeneic transplant nurse practitioner and late-effects lead clinician Yvonne Panek-Hudson via [email protected].
