Sickle cell is a life-long debilitating condition that predominantly affects people of black African and black African Caribbean background. This podcast series explores the work the NHS is doing to improve the health outcomes and quality of life of people with sickle cell.

In episode 3 patient Stephanine George and Dr Dianne Addei, a consultant in public health medicine and NHS England’s lead for sickle-cell services discuss sickle cell in children and young people. They are joined by Amanda Cope, advanced nurse practitioner in haemoglobinopathies at Birmingham Children's Hospital and Izzy Adams, education nurse for haemoglobinopathy across the West Midlands HCC.

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Hospital, offers expert care to more than 90,000 children and young people from across the country per year, so we are delighted to have Amanda to explain some of the signs to look out for, that might signal a child or young baby with sickle cell is in crisis. While Izzy discusses the importance of the Education Health and Care Plans in supporting children and young adults in schools and college.

They are joined by Carly Honey, Ward manager and Chelsea Soka, lead haemoglobinopathy nurse, both from ward 10 at Manchester Royal Infirmary. This is one of seven, new sickle cell disorder emergency department bypass units that NHS England is supporting. Carly and Chelsea discuss some of the ways that staff on the ward support young people and their families who are transitioning to adult services.

A transcript of this episode is available on our website - https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/podcast-sickle-cell-in-children-and-young-people/

Contact us: [email protected]