About accessing the sickle cell and thalassaemia community nursing service, covering Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.
How to access the service
You can refer yourself or child to our service using the contact details in the contacts box on this page
Or you may be referred by other healthcare professionals, or a screening programme, such as the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Programme.
Changing or cancelling your appointment
Please call 020 3049 5993 as soon as possible if you need to change your appointment.
Your first appointment
We may see you before your baby is born, if they've been identified as being at risk of having sickle cell disease or thalassaemia. We provide both genetic counselling and screening services.
If your newborn baby has been diagnosed with sickle cell disease or thalassaemia, one of our community nurses will come to talk to you at home to provide you with information about the support available to you and your family.
The nurse will then refer you and your child to the hospital of your choice – it is this hospital that your child will be seen at for their routine hospital appointments.
After your appointment
If you have had tests, we will contact you with the results within two weeks.
Alternatively, you can also contact the nurse directly on their mobile (where this has been agreed) or the main office on 020 3049 5993.
The community nursing team will continue to support your child as they grow older, and you and your family, providing:
- health promotion, training and awareness programmes
- education and support for you, your family and healthcare professionals
- helping to manage symptoms and your child's condition
- home visits
- pain management
- blood testing
- specialist nurse reviews at community clinics and during hospital visits
- assessment and support with social needs, for example housing, for example welfare benefits and advice
- resources and information
- care and support.