Janet Daby MP, along with John James OBE, Chief Executive of the Sickle Cell Society, met with Ben Travis, Chief Executive of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, and the team at Lewisham Hospital to tour the UK’s leading Sickle Cell Emergency Department Bypass Unit (SCEDBU) right here in our borough.
Lewisham Hospital’s SCEDBU (also known as the Acute Sickle Cell Unit) is a place for people living with sickle cell disease when a sickle cell crisis takes over, painfully and severely impacting day-to-day activities. Lewisham and Greenwich Trust (LGT) serves the fifth-largest sickle cell population in the country, but the funding is time-limited. The Trust says the Unit delivers efficiency savings and provides care to patients who could otherwise be left in agony in A&E.
Janet Daby MP said, “I’ve long campaigned on Sickle Cell and will always be a champion for my constituents who suffer from it. Visiting Lewisham’s Sickle Cell Emergency Department Bypass Unit and seeing first-hand the work our NHS is doing to build trust, support and treat sickle cell sufferers with dignity, respect and humanity shows the very best of our public services and Lewisham community.”
“The visit also came after John, and I worked together to restart the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia, which I now chair for sickle cell citizens across the country.”
John James OBE said, “The Sickle Cell Society is delighted to see the transformative difference the Sickle Cell Emergency Department Bypass Unit pilot at University Hospital Lewisham is making to the lives of people living with sickle cell in South London, whilst at the same time providing operational efficiencies and improving the caregiving experience of health professionals.
This is one of seven national pilots which emerged from the No One’s Listening report in 2021 and forms part of NHS England’s Sickle Cell Quality Improvement Programme. These improvements were hard won and are key to addressing the health inequalities faced by sickle cell patients over decades. We look forward to working with Integrated Care Boards in South London and in the other national pilot sites to ensure ongoing funding for these vital care services is provided beyond the conclusion of the pilot funding in March 2027.”
Where to get help in a sickle cell crisis
You can go to Lewisham Hospital’s Sickle Cell Emergency Department Bypass Unit open 24/7, 365 days a year, or call 020 3192 6912.
Further reading:
What is sickle cell disease?
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. Normally, red blood cells are round and flexible, allowing them to carry oxygen around the body easily. In people with sickle cell disease, some red blood cells become stiff and crescent (sickle) shaped. These abnormal cells can block blood flow, reducing the amount of oxygen reaching different parts of the body and causing pain and other health problems. Sickle cell disease is particularly common in people with an African or Caribbean background.
Why does it matter?
Sickle cell disease is a lifelong condition that can have a significant impact on daily life. It can cause episodes of severe pain, increase the risk of serious infections and lead to complications affecting organs such as the lungs, kidneys and brain. With early diagnosis, regular healthcare and the right treatment, many people with sickle cell disease are able to manage their condition and live full, active lives.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary from person to person, but commonly include severe episodes of pain (known as sickle cell crises), tiredness caused by anaemia, swelling of the hands and feet, frequent infections, and shortness of breath. Some people may also develop complications such as vision problems, strokes or lung disease.
What treatments are available?
There is currently no routine cure for sickle cell disease, but treatments can help prevent complications and relieve symptoms. These include regular vaccinations and antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection; medicines such as hydroxycarbamide to reduce painful crises; pain relief during flare-ups; blood transfusions when needed; and advice on staying well hydrated and avoiding triggers. For a small number of people, a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant may offer a cure, although it is only suitable in certain circumstances.
What is an All-Party Parliamentary Group?
All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal cross-party groups that have no official status within Parliament. They are run by and for Members of the Commons and Lords, though many choose to involve individuals and organisations from outside Parliament in their administration and activities.