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We recognise the strength of feeling and support that our same day emergency care (SDEC) pilot has received, which is a testament to the hard work of our teams.

An alternative route for treating emergency patients with sickle cell disease who were experiencing acute pain was tested as part of the short term project to understand whether this sort of approach would be beneficial for our patients. This was alongside the normal route of being treated through our A&E.

The six-month pilot was commissioned by the North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and finished in January 2026 as planned. Its conclusion was due to the expiry of the agreed funding from the ICB and its impact will be evaluated.

ICBs are responsible for working with their local communities to understand the needs of the local populations and make decisions about how best to commission services, including for those with sickle cell disease.

There is no change to the way we manage patients with sickle cell disease, and our Haematology Day Unit remains open for all our elective transfusion therapies. If patients attend A&E with a sickle cell pain crisis our aim is for pain relief to start within 30 minutes. 

Patients with sickle cell disease will continue to receive specialist-led care at our hospital.  

We are committed to improving pathways for the management of pain in patients with sickle cell disease, both acute and chronic, and will continue to work with patients and the ICB.