A-Z of Services
Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre
- Service Contact: mhn-tr.Sicklethal@nhs.net
- Address: 316-320 Whitehorse Road, Croydon, CR0 2LE
- Reception phone number: 0208 274 6040
About us
What we do
Sickle cell and thalassaemia are disorders of the red blood cells which are passed on by parents through genes. Sickle cell is more common in people who originate from West Africa and the Caribbean and Thalassaemia more common in people originating from Asian countries and the Mediterranean.
It is important to know if you carry any unusual gene before having children if you have family origins from the regions above. When one unusual gene is passed on it is a healthy carrier state. When two unusual genes are passed on the individual can have chronic and life threatening problems.
Regular medical checks by specialist doctors and nurses are important to improve health and reduce complications.
Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Community Centre
The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre offers fully integrated dedicated care for patients with haemoglobinopathies. Our specialist nurses work both in the community and in hospital and the consultants offer advice in the sickle cell clinics at Croydon University Hospital as well as at the community centre. The unique set up of the service to include community and hospital based care provides excellent continuity of care.
The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Community Centre provides the following:
- Counselling
- Home visits
- Drop in service for advice (nurse).
- Welfare and benefits advice
- Screening
- Education
- Training support
- Public awareness of sickle cell and thalassaemia.
The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Community Centre works closely together with the local voluntary Croydon Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Group .
Croydon University Hospital
Croydon University Hospital is a specialist care centre for haemoglobinopathies and operates under the umbrella of the South Thames Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Network. The services offer full outpatient, emergency and inpatient care for patients with Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassaemia. Outpatient services include full Annual Reviews, Hydroxycarbamide treatment and TCD clinics. Pathways are available within the network for automated exchange blood transfusions and iron overload monitoring and treatment. All patients have access to the network’s multidisciplinary team approach.
Haematology
Our Haematology Department provides comprehensive clinical and laboratory services based at Croydon University Hospital. Treatment is also offered at Purley War Memorial Hospital and the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre. For more information about our Haematology services click here .
Links to related services
Additional support
Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia are red blood cell diseases which are passed from parent to child.
People affected mainly come from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, Mediterranean countries, Eastern Europe and the Middle and Far East.
The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre offers screening, advice on current treatments and counselling for affected individuals, their families and carers.
There is a special group for parents of newly diagnosed babies and antenatal counselling for women at risk of having a child with sickle cell disease and Beta Thalassaemia.
More information and how to get treatment
Information about the service is here .
Information about the related Haematology service is here .
Location
Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre
316 – 320 Whitehorse Road
Croydon
CR0 2LE
Management Team
0208 274 6040 - Reception / Joanne Nolan - Administrator
0208 274 6043 - Carol Edwards - Clinical Nurse Specialist
0208 274 6041 - Paula Lindo - Clinical Nurse Specialist
0208 274 6044 - Linda Sawyerr - Clinical Nurse Specialist
0208 274 6042 - Alia Jaral - Administrator
Accessing the Podiatry service
Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre
People can refer themselves or be referred by a health professional.
For information, appointments and nursing support: 0208 274 6040
Email: mhn-tr.Sicklethal@nhs.net
Local voluntary group Croydon Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Group: 020 8251 7259
Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre
316 - 320 Whitehorse Road
Croydon CR0 2LE
Working hours: Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm
Sickle Cell / Haematology Clinic
Referral is by a GP via e-Referral System or by a Medical Consultant.
For new appointments: a first appointment will be sent after an appropriate referral from a GP.
To change an existing appointment: 020 8401 3000 Extension 5820 (adults).
To change an existing appointment: 020 8401 3000 Extension 3982 (paediatrics).
Croydon University Hospital
530 London Road
Croydon CR7 7YE
Working hours: Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm
Clinicians
Our team
- Dr Stella Kotsiopoulou,Consultant Haematologist and Clinical Lead for the Adult Haemoglobinopathy Services.
- Dr Nazma Chowdury, Consultant Paediatrician and Clinical Lead for the Paediatric Haemoglobinopathy Services.
- CNS Linda Sawyerr, Nurse Specialist for the Paediatric Haemoglobinopathy Services.
- CNS Paula Lindo, Nurse Specialist for the Adult Haemoglobinopathy Services.
- CNS Carol Edwards, Nurse Specialist for Antenatal Screening and Obstetrics.