Emergency departments offer more Sickle Cell support
The trust’s emergency departments are teaming up with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to prioritise the need of Sickle Cell patients in crisis.
It follows criticism from local campaign group Strength in Sickle that people with Sickle Cell are not being assessed or given pain killing drugs quickly enough.
The condition predominantly affects the black community and is a genetic trait where red blood cells ability to transport oxygen around the body are severely impaired leading to bouts of severe pain.
Lauren Fraser, an emergency consultant at Northwick Park Hospital, said: “At present, we see around 30 patients a month who present in crisis which is when the pain they live with becomes unbearable.
“We are starting a new initiative with LAS where patients coming into the department are quickly identified, we don’t waste any undue time repeating the same questions the ambulance crews have already asked, and ensure analgesics are given within 30 minutes.”