Haematology and Blood Cancer Services
Where to find this service
Where to find this service
About Western Health Haematology
The Western Health Haematology Unit provides comprehensive care for patients with blood disorders across Melbourne's western suburbs. Our team manages the full spectrum of haematological conditions, ranging from non-cancerous (benign) disorders to malignant blood cancers.
We are one of Victoria's largest public hospital providers of care for blood cancers with extensive experience in managing high-complexity cases. Our unit is deeply integrated with the Alfred/Monash Shared Pathology Service which gives our patients access to cutting edge genetic and molecular tests.
What we treat
Our specialists diagnose and manage the full spectrum of haematological conditions:
Blood Cancers (Malignant)
We provide specialist care and advanced treatments for:
- Lymphoma: Both aggressive and indolent.
- Leukaemia: Including acute and chronic forms.
- Myeloma: Including Multiple Myeloma and related plasma cell disorders.
- Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) and Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS).
General Blood Disorders (Benign)
We also manage non-cancerous conditions that require expert attention, such as:
- Clotting and bleeding issues: Including thrombosis and haemostasis disorders.
- Anaemia: Investigation and management of low blood counts.
- Thalassaemia, Sickle Cell Disease, and Haemochromatosis.
Advanced Therapies
We offer a growing portfolio of advanced treatments, ensuring patients in the West have access to the latest medical innovations:
- Immune and Cellular Therapies: Including T-cell redirection therapies.
- Complex Chemotherapy: We have the facilities and expertise to deliver intensive treatment protocols safely.
- Clinical Trials: Access to novel therapies through our active Clinical Trials Unit, with collaboration through the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) and the Australasian Lymphoma Alliance (ALA). You can learn more about our currently active clinical trials here.
Where you will receive care
We are committed to providing expert care as close to home as possible. Patients requiring admission are cared for on our dedicated Haematology-Oncology Ward (Sunshine 2E) by nurses with specialist training in blood cancers and complex disorders.
For day treatments that do not require an overnight stay (such as chemotherapy and infusions), we operate services across Sunshine Hospital, Melton Health, and the Sunbury Day Hospital. We also offer Hospital in the Home for selected therapies, allowing treatment to be delivered in your own home.
Some highly specialised treatments, such as stem cell transplants, are not currently performed at Western Health. We work closely with The Alfred and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to arrange these therapies for our patients when required. In most cases, your treatment before and after transplant can still be delivered through the Western.
Clinic Times and Locations
We run public, fully bulk-billed specialist clinics at the following locations:
- Sunshine Hospital: Wednesday and Thursday afternoons
- Sunbury Day Hospital: Friday mornings
- Melton Health: Thursdays
Referrals
Information for Health Professionals
We welcome referrals for new or suspected haematological conditions.
- Urgency: All blood cancers are considered urgent referrals. Suspected leukaemia, lymphoma, or myeloma should be immediately discussed with the haematology registrar on-call through the Western Health switchboard. The registrar is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Guidance: Please see our complete referral guidelines on the Health Professionals portal for more information. Address referrals to the Head of Unit, Dr William Renwick, or a named Haematologist from the list below.
Information for Patients
You will need a referral from your GP or specialist to attend our clinic. To help our doctors assess your condition accurately, please bring:
- Copies of any films, disks, or images of previous scans.
- A list of any medications you are currently taking.
Resources
We recommend the Cancer Council Australia for reliable patient information. They provide "What to Expect Guides" for optimal care pathways:
Our Team
Western Health utilises a multidisciplinary team approach. Our Haematologists work alongside Radiation Oncologists, Palliative Care Physicians, Pathologists, Pharmacists, and specialised Nursing and Allied Health staff to support patients and families at every stage of their journey.
Dr Bill Renwick
Dr Renwick is the Head of Haematology at Western Health and cares for people with a range of blood disorders, including lymphoma, myeloma, thrombosis and thalassaemia. He trained at The Alfred and Royal Melbourne Hospitals and is actively involved in clinical trials through the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG).
Dr Sophie Lee
Dr Lee is a consultant haematologist at Western Health. She completed her PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, studying how blood stem cells are regulated, and has a special interest in improving outcomes for people living with myeloma and lymphoma.
Dr Michael Ashby
Dr Ashby is a consultant clinical and laboratory haematologist at Western Health and also works at The Alfred. He specialises in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). His research focuses on understanding relapse and improving treatments for myeloid blood cancers.
Dr Duncan Carradice
Dr Carradice is a clinical haematologist at Western Health with an interest in lymphoma, myeloma and diagnostic haematology. He has played an important role in expanding local haematology and chemotherapy services and is active in research through the ALLG.
Dr Michael Gilbertson
Dr Gilbertson is the Lymphoma Lead at Western Health and Monash Health with expertise in aggressive lymphoma and myeloma. He is involved in national and international studies of new treatments through the ALLG and the Australasian Lymphoma Alliance (ALA).
Dr Chris Leow
Dr Leow is a clinical and laboratory haematologist at Western Health who cares for people with a range of blood disorders, including lymphoma and myeloma. He is passionate about providing access to advanced, novel therapies for patients in Melbourne’s west. He is a contributor to the ALLG.
Dr Ming Ong
Dr Ong is a clinical and laboratory haematologist at Western Health and The Alfred. She has particular interests in myeloid disorders and is involved in collaborative research through the ALLG and ALA. Her research focuses on treatment responses in acute leukaemia.
Dr Filipe Gonsalves
Dr Gonsalves is a consultant haematologist and lymphoma specialist at Western and Monash Health. He has an interest in T‑cell and other aggressive lymphomas as well as the use of machine learning in diagnostic haematology. He is an active member of the ALLG and the ALA.
