Sickle Cell, Thalassaemia and Red Cell Disorder Service
Who we see:
We see patients with different types of sickle cell disease, (including HbSS, HbSC and HbS thalassaemia), thalassaemia, and other types of red cell blood problems such as hereditary spherocytosis and G6PD deficiency.
We do not usually see patients with sickle cell or thalassaemia traits, and people who are affected by this can contact the community sickle cell and thalassaemia team for support and advice.
What we do:
The team includes consultant haematologists, haematology registrars, medical trainees, clinical nurse specialists (CNS), a clinical psychologist and a haemoglobinopathy counsellor.
The aim of the service is to enable our patients to live as well as possible with their condition, by ensuring optimal treatment of their medical, physical and psychosocial needs.
Our services include:
- Assessments, reviews and screening
- Individualised acute care management plans
- Emergency treatment of sickle cell painful crisis
- Therapeutic apheresis services (TAS) for exchange transfusions
- Phlebotomy services
- Supportive care unit
- Dedicated specialist adult nurses
- Psychological support Joint obstetric-red cell clinic; to support people during pregnancy
- Support with community/social needs
- Health education (including supporting letters) to third parties on request e.g. employers, universities, DWP
- Support group for sickle cell patients/carers (virtual meetings)
How to find us:
The sickle cell, thalassaemia and red cell disorder service for adults is based in the Bexley Wing at St James's University Hospital.
Most inpatient care is provided on Wards J88 and J89. Patients may also be seen on ward J96 and the young adult unit (ward J94) on level 5.
Outpatient care is provided on level 3 (ward J87). The outpatient area also contains our therapeutic apheresis service (for exchange blood transfusions), phlebotomy services and a supportive day care unit for routine blood transfusion.
For the main haematology outpatients, come up in the "blue" lift to level 3, turn left and then right. Within this area, there is also a phlebotomy service, the supportive care unit and the therapeutic apheresis service. To find the main wards (J88/J89) walk down the long corridor from outpatients or come up to level 3 in the "green" lift. Wards J95, J96 and the teenage and young adult unit (J94) are located on level 5.
