Sickle cell service celebrates six months of success
This week marks World Sickle Cell Day (19 June) and almost six months since Basildon Hospital launched its vital red cell exchange transfusion service.
In that time the paediatrics and adults sickle cell service, supported by NHS Blood and Transplant, has carried out 15 exchange transfusions, including four emergency cases.
It speeds up the process of replacing sickle cell blood with healthy blood which had previously been done manually.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that primarily affects people of Black heritage. Usually detected through pregnancy or newborn screening, it can lead to serious complications including organ damage, strokes and vision loss if not properly managed.
One of the patients to benefit from the service, which launched in January, is Simi Omolabi, 20, from Basildon.
He said:
My brother has sickle cell disease as well, and he has also used the machine. It is making such a difference to us.
Up until this point I have had top ups of blood but having an exchange with new blood means I feel better for longer.
The machine replaces the patient’s unusually shaped red blood cells with healthy donor blood, helping to prevent complications and manage symptoms more effectively. This process must be repeated every six weeks.
Rebecca Oloruntobi, Clinical Nurse Specialist, said: “For patients receiving regular exchange transfusions, the machine has significantly reduced both the number and severity of sickle cell crises. In emergency cases, it has helped speed up recovery and cut the length of time people need to stay in hospital.
"Today, the Trust’s Sickle Cell Team celebrate the strength of every patient with sickle cell disease and their families. Your courage and resilience inspires our care every single day.”
To mark the occasion the team is hosting an information stall and has also worked with young patients to share their experiences of living with the disease and the impact of the new service by creating poetry and stories to share. The idea supports the Sickle Cell Society’s Young Voices Rising campaign.
Nikki Tuffin, Lead Roald Dahl Non-Malignant Clinical Nurse Specialist, said:
On World Sickle Cell Day, we’re proud to celebrate this significant step forward in improving care for children and young people through the introduction of our new Automated Red Cell Exchange Transfusion machine.
This investment reflects our commitment to delivering timely, innovative and equitable care that improves outcomes and quality of life. Equally important is ensuring that the voice of young people remains at the heart of service development.