Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia

During the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre will endeavour to remain as operational as possible. We will be aiming to have at least one nurse and one admin on site to take your calls and advise you. We are reducing the amount of appointments that we are offering at the centre, in order to maintain social-distancing and reduce travel needs. Pregnant women will be offered counselling over the phone for their antenatal appointments and where necessary we will still be inviting the baby’s father to the centre to be tested. Similarly we will be offering telephone counselling for parents of baby’s who have had a trait status identified at birth, and will be looking to offer further testing once the current situation has reduced considerably.

Address

19-21 High Street South,
East Ham, London E6 6EN

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Phone

020 8821 0800

Email

elt-tr.sickleandthal@nhs.net

Who we are

We are the East London Foundation Trust (Community Health Newham) Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre. We are a specialist nursing service serving the community in Newham.

What we do?

The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre offers a specialist nursing service to children and adults who have been diagnosed with a major Haemoglobinopathy condition. The team is also part of the NHS England screening program: testing pregnant women and new-born babies to identify any unusual haemoglobin variants that may be present. We also screen anyone who may be interested in finding out their genotype. We work closely with hospitals, GPs and other Allied Health Professionals across London to offer the best quality care, including hosting Doppler clinics for affected children and an evening paediatric clinic to see children after school.

Who do we see?

All ages of anyone suspected or affected with Sickle Cell or Thalassaemia.

The team is multi-disciplinary and consists of specialist nurses, counsellors and administrators.

Sekayi Tangayi (Service Manager and Lead Specialist Nurse)
Santoshi Patel (Adult Specialist Nurse and Nursing Lead)
Jessie Mutoro (Adult Specialist Nurse)
Jennie Sule-Ejeh (Paediatric Specialist Nurse)
Bukola Shitu (Paediatric Specialist Nurse)
Joseph Habgood (Operational Manager)
Samad Chowdhury (Clerical Administrator)
Nillofeh Mahamadally (Clerical Administrator)

How to access the service?

All pregnant women in who have been identified to have an unusual haemoglobin variant will be automatically referred to our centre via Maternity Services. Anyone can also come to the centre to self-refer for our General clinic. Any new-born babies found to have an unusual haemoglobin variant will also be automatically referred to us. Children and adults already known to be affected will be offered appointments, however referrals are accepted from everyone.

How to contact us?

Telephone: 020 8821 0800
Fax: 020 8821 0808
Email: elt-tr.sickleandthal@nhs.net

What to expect at your appointment?

Paediatric Evening Clinic ( Children’s clinic)

When: First and last Monday of each month, 16:00 – 19:00
Where: Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre
Who: Children affected with Sickle Cell disease or Thalassaemia Syndromes. Performed by Consultant Paediatrician from Newham Hospital.
What: Check ups and annual reviews for children affected with Sickle Cell or Thalassaemia

Paediatric Nurse Led Clinic

When: Tuesday (All day), Wednesday (All day), Thursday (A.M)
Where: Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre or Home Visits
Who: Children affected with Sickle Cell disease or Thalassaemia Syndromes. Performed by Specialist Nurses.
What: Check ups and annual reviews for children affected with Sickle Cell or Thalassaemia

Adult Nurse Led Clinic

When: Tuesday (All day), Wednesday (P.M), Thursday (All day)
Where: Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre or Home Visits
Who: Adults affected with Sickle Cell disease or Thalassaemia Syndromes. Performed by Specialist Nurses.
What: Check ups and annual reviews for adults affected with Sickle Cell or Thalassaemia

Antenatal clinic

When: Tuesday (All day), Wednesday (A.M), Thursday (P.M), Friday (Once per month, P.M)
Where: Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre
Who: Any pregnant woman, found to have an unusual haemoglobin during Maternity Screening, and her partner.
What: Counselling on the conditions and the offer of testing to the partner’s of women found to have an unusual haemoglobin type.

At Risk Antenatal clinic

When: Tuesday (All day), Wednesday (A.M), Thursday (P.M), Friday (Once per month, P.M)
Where: Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre
Who: Any pregnant couple with both parents found to have an unusual haemoglobin during Screening.
What: Counselling on the conditions and the offer of Pre-Natal Diagnosis to the mother.

Transcranial Doppler Clinic

When: One Saturday per month (all day)
Where: Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre
Who: 2- 16 years Any affected child with HbSS (Sickle Cell Anaemia) or HbS/Beta Thalassaemia (Sickle-Beta Thalassaemia).
What: Routine scanning of the brain to assess the risk of stroke in children affected by the above conditions.

Neonatal clinic

When: Tuesday (All day), Thursday (P.M)
Where: Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre
Who: Any baby found to be a carrier of any unusual haemoglobin type , and their parents.
What: Counselling on the conditions for both parents and the offer of testing to the father (if not previously tested)

General clinic

When: Friday (A.M)
Where: Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre
Who: Any person interested in finding out their genotype, or the genotype of their family
What: Counselling on the conditions and the offer of testing to those who want it.

Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia