The leader of Greenwich Council, who lives with sickle cell, visited a unit which opened up in neighbouring Lewisham, offering those with the condition emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, writes Jessica Farmer…
The Acute Sickle Cell Unit at Lewisham Hospital is one of five pilot sites across the country working to improve access to treatments.
“The Acute Sickle Cell Unit at Lewisham exists because our patients told us what they needed: to be seen quickly, by people who understand their condition, and who know them by name,” said Michael Burns, Lead Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Haematology and Consultant Paramedic, at the hospital.
“Since we opened in January 2025, we’ve delivered that every hour of everyday – 24 hours, 7 days a week.”
The service provides treatment for those who would otherwise need to attend A&E, and patients are seen, on average, within eight minutes, well under the national 30-minute target.
Cllr Okereke said: “As someone who lives with sickle cell myself, I know how important it is to be able to get treatment quickly.”
September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month where practitioners are encouraging anyone who is able to donate blood to come forward and do so.
People of Black heritage are 10 times more likely to have the Ro blood subtype, a rare variation of the Rh positive blood group that is essential for treating sickle cell. Around 19,000 people in the UK are currently living with sickle cell and many rely on regular blood transfusions.
“None of what we do would be possible without safe, well-matched blood being available when our patients need it, which is why encouraging more donations from Black African and Black Caribbean communities this September matters so much,” said Michael Barns.
For referrals and patient advice, residents can contact the unit on 020 3192 6912
