We’re excited to announce a new community-based service designed to provide greater support for people of all ages with sickle cell disorder in south east London. This service has been rolled out across all six boroughs: Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. There are three community clinic locations across south east London.

What’s included in the new community service?

• More nurses: There are more specialist community nurses available for both children and adults with sickle cell. These nurses will work with local NHS Trusts.
• Wider support team (multi-disciplinary team): People living with sickle cell have access to community-based specialists, including a dietitian, physiotherapist, and pharmacist all in one appointment. They will be working alongside community-based specialist psychologists, to help manage your condition.
• Help with everyday life: The service offers welfare advice and support on benefits and legal matters.
• Peer support: Young people with sickle cell can connect with others who understand what they’re going through, through the Sickle Cell Society.
• Education and information: We’re developing new resources to help patients, schools, workplaces, and healthcare professionals learn more about sickle cell disorder.

How can I access the new community service?

Community clinical nurse specialists: Speak to your GP to be referred to your community nurse.

Multi-disciplinary team and welfare support: Ask your sickle cell care team to be referred to the MDT and/or welfare support.

Peer support: You can apply to be a mentee or mentor for the children and young person peer mentoring programme.

• Mentees: If you are eligible, you can self-refer or ask your parent/healthcare professional to refer you using the mentee application form on the Sickle Cell Society website.
• Mentors: If you are interested in becoming a mentor to young people with sickle cell, you can find out more and apply on the mentor page on the Sickle Cell Society website.
• General enquiries: If you have any questions about the Sickle Cell Society peer mentoring programme, please email mentors@sicklecellsociety.org.

How do I share my opinion?

If you are someone living with sickle cell disorder, or a parent, guardian or carer of someone living with sickle cell in south east London, you can visit the Let’s Talk engagement platform. We would be grateful to hear your thoughts about sickle cell community services and how we can best suit them to your needs.

Stay updated:

To stay informed about the latest updates on the service rollout in your area, please speak to your haematology hospital team or sickle cell community nurse.

For any general enquiries, you can also email gst-tr.selsicklecommunity@nhs.net.