The Constantiaberg Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Centre at Mediclinic Constantiaberg was established in March 1998 by Professor Peter Jacobs together with Dr Mike du Toit and Sr Lucille Wood, and is a registered member of the European Bone Marrow Transplant registry and the national bone marrow donor programme based in the United States. Current senior staff are Dr Mike du Toit and Dr Danie Kotze and the Practice manager is Mrs Annelize Gouws.
The unit has a dedicated isolation facility for neutropaenic patients and those undergoing a Bone Marrow (Stem cell) transplant.
The centre is a comprehensive haematology referral centre for the diagnosis and treatment of haematology disorders and malignancies such as leukaemia, lymphomas, multiple myeloma, aplastic anaemia and various other types of anaemias, and bone marrow disorders, offering state-of-the-art treatment based on international research protocols.
The centre offers a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team approach, consisting currently of two specialist haematologists, experienced and very dedicated nursing staff, pharmacists, a laboratory technologist, a psychologist/play therapist, a psychiatrist, physiotherapists, a dietician and input from the microbiology department, allowing patients the convenient service of having treatment under one roof in one department. Daily ward rounds are complemented by a weekly haematology microbiology round.
This includes the opportunity to undergo bone marrow transplants, where indicated, as part of a comprehensive treatment programme. Working together with the South African bone marrow registry the centre is able to offer both autografts and allografts (sibling donors and matched unrelated donors).
Cell separation procedures are performed in the on-site facility and bone marrow grafts are collected for patients’ elsewhere in South Africa and overseas when requested.
The centre has its own dedicated haematology laboratory for the quick processing of specimens.
The centre prides itself with being known nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence and treatment centre of choice by delivering a high standard of care throughout the patient’s journey, while they entrust themselves to the hands of the specialised team.
It remains imperative that the centre measures itself to ensure safe practice and ongoing improvement.
This is achieved in various ways, namely: