The local trust responsible for healthcare services in Harrow has announced that it will be hosting a second public engagement event for individuals affected by sickle cell disease.
This event, scheduled to take place on Thursday, 8th June, will be held in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Society and aims to foster a constructive dialogue between the service providers and the community to identify and implement long-term improvements.
Over the past year, the trust has made significant strides in enhancing sickle cell care within the community. Notable achievements include the establishment of a specialized sickle cell admission area within the haematology ward and the introduction of the NICE-approved monoclonal antibody treatment, Crizanlizumab.
Building on these successes, the trust is now focusing its efforts on various other initiatives, such as improving patient and service user access and developing dedicated educational programs. Several of these projects have been shaped by feedback and requests gathered during the public engagement event held in October of last year.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the upcoming event, Chief Executive Pippa Nightingale stated, “At our last event, we were privileged to listen to and learn from the lived experiences of many people in our communities who live with sickle cell disease and their family members. We pledged to act on both local and national issues raised during that event, and I’m looking forward to being able to report back on what we’ve done.
“It’s vital that we continue the conversation about how we can build a sickle cell service that really works for our local people: we remain committed to listening and acting on what we hear.”
Nightingale further encouraged patients and service users in Harrow to join the engagement event, emphasising the importance of their attendance. She expressed her hopes that attendees would not only hear about the trust’s progress in implementing their feedback but also share additional ideas for the future.
The event is open to patients, service users, and all individuals affected by sickle cell disease. It will take place between 5:30pm and 7pm at the Avery Jones Lecture Theatre, located within the Central Middlesex Hospital. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in face-to-face discussions with healthcare professionals and contribute to the ongoing development of the sickle cell service in Harrow.
For more information about the event or to register for attendance, individuals are encouraged to visit the trust’s website or contact their local healthcare provider.
