The first dedicated unit for patients with sickle cell in the UK has opened at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. From March 2024 patients at the Oxford Road Campus/Manchester Royal Infirmary (MFT) will be able to access the Sickle Cell Unit (SCU) if they are experiencing an acute sickle cell crisis*.
A leaflet about the SCU has been produced that gives a detailed overview of the service, when it should be used and the process a patient should follow. The leaflet can be picked up in the haemoglobinopathy department or from a specialised sickle cell nurse/doctor at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Alternatively, you can follow this link to the MFT SCU webpage that gives you an abridged version. Please note a digital version of the leaflet will be added to the MFT SCU page soon.
If you are a keen viewer of BBC North West Tonight you may know all about the SCU already as it was a news feature on 05/03/24. For those that missed it please watch the video below. Thank you to those featured in the clip – the patients Kayna and Salam, Dr Joe Sharif (Consultant Haematologist), and Chelsea Soka (Lead Haemoglobinopathy Specialist Nurse). Additionally, thank you to the BBC for highlighting sickle cell and the SCU.
*An acute sickle cell pain that is not responding to two or more consecutive doses of oral pain relief medications at home.