NHS England visit spotlights Sheffield specialist care for sickle cell patients
18 December 2025
Press contact | claudia.blake@nhs.net
NHS England’s lead for sickle-cell services and Director of the national Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, Dr Dianne Addei, has visited Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Sheffield Sickle Cell Emergency Department Bypass Unit, part of the haematology assessment unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
The unit – which is one of the first of its kind in the country – is set up to offer faster access to pain relief and specialist care to patients experiencing a sickle cell crisis by allowing patients to bypass busy emergency departments and be taken directly to specialist clinicians for expert care.
This is supported by a 24/7 urgent triage advice line which aims to prevent hospital admissions and an innovative pathway set up with Yorkshire Ambulance Service which enables patients to be taken directly to the unit, allowing admission to the specialist haematology wards and bypassing A&E.
Dianne met with staff and patients and was given a guided tour of the unit on Tuesday 9 December where she learned first-hand how the new approach is improving outcomes for patients with sickle cell disorder.
She was also met with specialist staff at the maternity assessment unit and advanced obstetric care unit where pregnant women with sickle cell disorder are seen and assessed. In addition, she learned more about how the unit is improving health inequalities for patients with sickle cell disorder, at both local and national level.
A life-threatening genetic disorder
Sickle cell disorder is a serious, lifelong genetic condition affecting red blood cells. A sickle cell crisis occurs when the abnormally shaped red blood cells block blood vessels, causing sudden, severe pain which can last for several days or weeks. This acute symptom can cause organ failure, strokes, loss of vision, and in some cases, can be fatal.
The disease mainly affects people of black African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Eastern Mediterranean and Asian heritage.
The Sheffield Sickle Cell Emergency Department Bypass Unit is supported by a specialist medical team of doctors, clinical nurse specialists and a clinical psychologist who work jointly with other medical specialties, such as endocrine, kidney and liver experts, and maternity services.
The unit cares for over 1,200 patients with sickle cell disease and other inherited blood disorders including thalassemia and rare inherited anaemias across Yorkshire and the North East of England.
24/7 access to urgent care
As well as a 24/7 urgent triage advice line which aims to prevent hospital admissions, the unit enables patients to be taken directly to the unit rather than A&E through an innovative pathway set up with Yorkshire Ambulance Service. This allows direct admission to the haematology wards where specialist care is given.
Reflecting on her visit, Dr Dianne Addei, Director of Healthcare Inequalities, NHS England, said:
“I was delighted to visit the Sickle Cell Emergency Department Bypass Unit in Sheffield to see first-hand all the fantastic work the dedicated team are doing in treating and caring for people living with sickle cell disorder, which is a truly debilitating illness that can involve intensely painful and life-threatening crises.
“The unit is a leading example of how collaboration, innovation and compassion can transform care for people that face significant health inequalities, leading to equitable access, excellent experience and optimal outcomes.”
Dr Clare Samuelson, Consultant Haematologist and Clinical Lead for the North East Yorkshire Haemoglobinopathy Coordinating Centre, said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome Dr Dianne Addei to our unit and showcase the incredible work of our teams in supporting patients with sickle cell disorder.
“Sheffield is one of the leading specialist centres for non-malignant haematology with a renowned expertise in the investigation and management of red cell disorders, so we were proud to highlight the significant advancements we have made and look forward to continuing our collaboration with NHS England to the benefit of even more patients.”
ENDS
