About HAEMATOLOGY

We are Consultant Haematologists

Haematologists focus largely on lymphatic systems and bone marrow and may diagnose blood count irregularities. 

We treat organs that are fed by blood cells, including the lymph nodes, spleen, and lymphoid tissue.

We specialise in recognising and treating blood and bone marrow disorders and diseases, where correct prompt diagnosis is extremely important.

Depending on the symptoms you have,  you may need to have blood tests and/or other investigations such as a CT scan or bone marrow biopsy. 

Doctor Profiles

Dr. Ruby Haji and Dr. Akila Danga founded 1st Blood together to deliver an outstanding and broad-ranging haematology service to their patients.

They operate as a team of two and are able to provide continuity of care for both outpatient services and inpatient consultative advice.  Their individual specialist interests complement each other’s practice and allow them to provide the best level of evidence based care in all aspects of Haematology for their patients.

Dr. Ruby Haji 
Consultant Haematologist 
MBBS, BSc Haematology, MRCP, FRCPath

Dr Ruby Haji is a General Haematology Consultant with an interest in thrombosis and bleeding disorders as well as immune haematology.

She completed her medical degree at Imperial College London in 2005, along with a 1st Class Honours BSc degree in Haematology.  She received training in a wide range of general medical specialties in the Northwest London Hospitals and went on to complete Specialist Haematology training on the Imperial College London rotation with posts at Hammersmith Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital Paddington and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals.  

Dr Haji developed an interest in disorders of blood clotting and thrombosis towards the end of her training in haematology.  She is now the Head of Anticoagulation Services and Lead Haematologist for Thrombosis and Haemostasis at Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with both clinical and management responsibilities.  As part of her haemostasis work, she is experienced in managing patients with complex immune thrombocytopenia and is a member of the Imperial College Immune Haematology network MDT.  She also leads the Obstetric Haematology clinic at Hillingdon along with a colleague in Obstetrics.

As a General Haematologist Dr Haji diagnoses and treats a wide range of haematological disorders including abnormal blood counts, myeloproliferative disorders, immune haematological disorders such as immune thrombocytopenia and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.  She also provides consultative advice on blood transfusion and haematological optimisation of patients prior to surgery.

Dr Haji is experienced in the diagnosis and management of haematological cancers such as acute and chronic leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Professional Memberships include:
Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists England
British Medical Association
Medical Defence Union

Dr. Akila Danga
Consultant Haematologist 
MBBS, BSc, MRCP, FRCPath

Dr Akila Danga is a General Haematology Consultant with a specialist interest in Haemato-Oncology, involved in research and development and clinical trials.

Dr Danga graduated from Imperial College London in 2008 with a Distinction in Clinical Practice and an intercalated Batchelor of Sciences with 1st Class Honours. She has trained in general medicine in a number of London hospitals and completed her Specialist Haematology training on the Imperial College London programme rotating through Hammersmith Hospital, St Marys Hospital Paddington, The Hillingdon Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital; Achieving her FRCPath accreditation in 2018.

She has been a Consultant Haematologist at Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since 2019. Her main interests are in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Haematological cancers including acute and chronic leukaemias, lymphomas, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloma and myeloproliferative disorders. She takes a keen interest in delivering the latest evidence based care and runs a number of specialist clinics, Haematology day unit, delivers in patient care involving the delivery of systemic anti cancer therapy at a level 2B setting. Dr Danga is the Principal Investigator of Haematology Clinical Trials at Hillingdon Hospital and actively partakes in the Haemato-Oncology network multidisciplinary team meetings with Hammersmith Hospital.

She is also heavily involved in the investigation and management of patients with general Haematology disorders such as iron deficiency anaemias, abnormal blood counts, immune-haematology (including neutropenia, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and autoimmune haemolytic anaemias), haemaglobinopathies (Sickle cell disease and Thalassaemia), haemostasis and thrombosis as well as transfusion medicine.Dr Danga also provides consultative advice in medicine and surgery with abnormalities related to Haematology.

Professional Memberships include:
Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists England
British Society of Haematology
American Society of Haematology
British Medical Association
Medical Defence Union

Clinical Interests

Outpatient Clinical Practice

• General haematology - all abnormal blood results
• Haemato-Oncology
• Haemostasis and thrombosis - Bleeding and clotting disorders
• Immune Haematology
• Anticoagulation
• Transfusion
• Pre-operative optimisation
• Management of conditions with monitoring and therapies including oral chemotherapy as required

Diagnostics and procedures

• Bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsies
• Lumbar punctures
• Venesections
• Day unit administration of intravenous infusions including systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), biological agents, immune therapy and haematinic replacement including iron infusions and vitamin
  B12 injections

Consultative advice

• To medical and surgical services at Bishops Wood Hospital
• Peri-operative management and optimisation
• Haemostasis and thrombosis
• Transfusion

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