The occurrence of the haemoglobinopathies in the UK depends on the number and distribution of the ethnic groups at risk, and on the characteristics of their carrier states, marriage trends and birth rates. A significant proportion of the population within the North West London Sector Health Authority (NWLHA) area suffer from a major haemoglobinopathy or are ‘at risk’ of having an infant born with a major haemoglobinopathy.

A wide range of primary and secondary care health services are available within the sector for patients, parents/carers and health professional to utilize:

• A Managed Haemoglobinopathy Clinical Network has been established which aims to improve and harmonise care for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia patients in the nine acute hospitals within the NWLHA.
  
• The EHR facilitates the Network by providing current and accurate demographic and clinical information on patients.
  
• Community or primary care services include the Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Centres, which provide a range of health promotion, advisory and counselling services for clients.
  
• Each hospital within the sector has clinics designated for the care of haemoglobinopathy patients.
  
• Each hospital provides acute care in their Accident & Emergency departments and have policies for admitting haemoglobinopathy patients.
  
• Central Middlesex Hospital has a Haematology & Sickle Cell Day Care Unit which sickle patients can utilize if their illness meets the admission criteria.
  
• The Regional Neonatal Screening Laboratory is based in the Haematology Department at Central Middlesex hospital.