The specialist sickle cell and thalassaemia service covers provision of care in the hospital and the community for people from birth and throughout adulthood. The team is made up of specialist nurses, doctors, psychologist and social worker, based in Central Middlesex and Northwick Park hospital and the community team is based at the Brent Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre (BSCTC) currently based on the Central Middlesex hospital site.
We provide the following services:
-
Adult acute and community support services
-
Paediatric acute and community support services
-
Antenatal screening & follow up
-
Neonatal screening and follow up
-
Genetic testing
-
Psychology services
-
Social worker for our patients
-
Patient support group
-
The North West London Haemoglobinopathy Managed Clinical Network (MCN)
-
National Haemoglobinopathy register
-
Education, training and research
-
Publications, DVDs and other multimedia resources
-
Dedicated website for information and education of professionals and the general public
Outpatient clinics
All outpatient clinics are located at Central Middlesex hospital.
Children's clinic: every Tuesday afternoon (from 2pm to 5pm) in Paediatric outpatients (Rainbow Children’s Centre) ground floor.
Adult's clinic: every Tuesday morning (9am to 1pm) in Haematology department, second floor.
Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound scanning clinic: held monthly on a Saturday, in the Haematology department, second floor. This clinic is for children from two years old upwards.
To book, change or cancel a paediatric or adult clinic appointment, contact the haematology clinic clerk on 020 8453 2292.
To change a TCD scan appointment contact the Radiology department on 020 8453 2275.
Emergency care, inpatients and day cases
Children
The accident and emergency, inpatient and day care sickle cell and thalassaemia children's services are located at Northwick Park hospital. Please do not take your child to Central Middlesex hospital for emergency sickle cell or thalassaemia care.
If your child is ill call the Paediatric Day Care Unit (PDCU) on 020 8869 3131/3437 during normal working hours, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, closed bank holidays. You can take your child straight to PDCU during normal working hours, where specialist doctors and nurses will see your child. It is better to call and tell them you are coming so they can prepare for your child's arrival. When you call ask to speak to the nurse in charge and explain that your child has sickle cell or thalassaemia and is under the care of Dr Afif and Dr Cho.
Outside these hours take your child to the Accident and Emergency at Northwick Park hospital. If your child needs to stay in hospital they will be admitted to the paediatric inpatient ward called Jack's Place.
Adults
There are no emergency or inpatient services at Central Middlesex hospital. Sickle cell and thalassaemia patients should not attend the Urgent Care Centre at Central Middlesex hospital.
Accident and Emergency care provision at Northwick Park hospital: The Accident and Emergency department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sickle cell and thalassaemia patients can go to Northwick Park hospital Accident and Emergency department for emergency care. If you require admission you will be admitted to Carroll ward at Northwick Park hospital for ongoing care and treatment.
Medial Day Care unit located at Central Middlesex hospital: The adult Medical Day Care unit at Central Middlesex hospital offers procedures including blood transfusions, automated red blood cell exchange transfusions and care if you suffer from an acute, uncomplicated, sickle cell pain crisis. Patients with thalassaemia can attend for blood transfusion and other therapies. It is open during normal working hours 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and closed bank holidays.
Medical Day Care Sickle Cell Pain Crisis Service: Adults may self-refer to the day care unit for medical and nursing care between 9am and 4pm. To use this service you must call for telephone assessment with a nurse, on 020 8453 2562, and arrive by 11am. This will ensure sufficient time to manage your pain crisis. After 4pm if you are not well enough to go home arrangements will be made to admit you to hospital.
Inpatient Care: Adult patients will be admitted to Carroll ward at Northwick Park hospital.
Community care, psychology, antenatal and newborn screening
Some members of the specialist team are based in the Brent Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre (BSCTC) at Central Middlesex hospital. They provide services for children and adult patients, professionals and the general public. They are open Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm and closed bank holidays. Information about these service is located under ‘Community services’ under Harrow and Brent, please click on the links for further details. The service is managed by the Specialist Nurse Consultant, Dr Lola Oni, OBE.
For psychology clinical and research services contact Consultant Psychologist, Dr Kofi Anie at the Centre. To make an appointment with the Psychologist contact the Outpatient clinic clerk (Haematology Department) on 020 8453 2292 between Monday and Friday, 9am - 5pm, closed during bank holidays.
BSCTC website: Whether you are a patient, health professional or member of the general public you can find up-to-date information, help and advice at: www.sickle-thal.nwlh.nhs.uk.
