Tips for GP trainees working in haematology.

British Journal of General Practice, June 2013 333 INTRODUCTION Blood: the fluid carrying oxygen and nutrients to, and waste materials from, all tissues in the body. For most medical postgraduates however, this topic is poorly understood and considered rather complicated. A rotation through haematology can feel daunting: patients can be complex, suffer multiple comorbidities, and rapidly deteriorate; the registrar’s bleep goes off continuously; and, not only do you have the haematology ward to contend with, there is the haematology day unit and referrals from other specialties. It is busy. Prepare for the rotation by rereading (or even reading) a concise textbook such as Essential Haematology.1 Remember you are surrounded by a wealth of knowledge. Use the team (especially the patients); they want to help you. Make the most of your induction and be aware of key policies and where to find them; you’ll be grateful of this later. Haematology is not only about malignancy; you may also become familiar with screening for, and clinical presentations of, sickle cell disease and thalassaemia or how to use the diagnostic haematology service for investigating anaemia. You will learn a lot, while developing leadership and communication skills.