Achieve equity in access to sickle cell services

Abstract

Greater priority, and appropriate resources, need to be accorded to the provision of sickle cell and thalassaemia services. Sickle cell and thalassaemia disorders are among the most common genetic conditions in the world. In the UK, the condition affects about 15,000 people of all ethnic backgrounds but is more common in people of black African or African-Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asian origin. There are encouraging moves towards networks of clinical care based around centres with medical and nursing staff with specialist knowledge. Yet legitimate questions remain about the lack of priority accorded to sickle cell and thalassaemia services.