Claire McLintock

Interpretation of Haematology Results

Let’s set the scene. It’s Friday afternoon, the inbox or intray is full of patients’ blood test results, they’ve been gathering through the week. All you want to see is normal results, confirming for your patient that everything if fine, no need to worry. But then you see them  - the asterisks – * is bad enough but then you see some results with **  and, no it can’t be, here is one with *** 

What does it mean?
How worried should you be?
What do you tell your patient?
What do you do next?
And when do you need to do it?

This session will be a practical approach to interpretation of common – and maybe some not-so-common - haematological abnormalities. What to do, when to refer and when to worry. I will also discuss some of the newer diagnostic tests for haematological disorders and provide an update on new treatment options for haematological malignancies.

The session will be interactive without being intrusive, it will be educational and enjoyable, leave you feeling confident about what to do and when to ask for help.

Biography: Dr Claire McLintock is a Haematologist and Obstetric Physician. Originally from Scotland, a graduate of Edinburgh University Medical School she has lived in Auckland for 18 years, completing her post-graduate training in clinical and laboratory haematology in Auckland in 1999.

Claire worked as a Haematologist for Diagnostic Medlab for seven years. In 2008 she set up in private clinical practice, founding Redhealth, practicing from Vermont Street, Ponsonby where she consults on a wide range of general haematological problems including thrombotic or bleeding problems, common blood disorders such as thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, haemochromatosis and less common problems such as chronic myeloid leukemia, polycythemia, CLL, low grade lymphoma. Her role as an Obstetric Physician, one of the team from National Women’s Health, Auckland City Hospital has allowed her to develop particular expertise in care of women medical disorders that affect pregnancy medical complications of pregnancy and fertility issues.

Among her many professional activities, she is President of the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand, co-chair of the Women’s Thrombosis and Haemostasis Scientific Subcommittee of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Claire is a frequently invited to speak at international Haematology and Obstetric Medicine meetings.