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Introduction |
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What are Sickle
Cell and Thalassaemia disorders? |
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They are both inherited blood disorders affecting haemoglobin,
the oxygen carrying substance in the red blood cells. The
illnesses are inherited from both parents who are usually
healthy carriers of a trait (e.g. sickle cell or thalassaemia
trait). |
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Sickle cell disorders mainly affect people whose ancestry is
African/Caribbean, Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern. |
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Thalassaemia affects people from Asia, the Mediterranean and
the Middle-East. |
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Sickle Cell &
Thalassaemia Support Project aims to: |
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Increase awareness by
developing a comprehensive education and training
programme for community groups, carers and health
professionals. |
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Promote voluntary screening
and offer genetic counselling |
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Provide support, advice and
co-ordination of care to individuals and families where
there is a major haemoglobin disorder. |
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Act as a specialist resource
for other professionals and communities at risk.
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Work closely with the
Local/Health Authority departments and the voluntary
sector to develop a co-ordinated service. |
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