Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what programme of training is being implemented to ensure that the NHS workforce has adequate training on sickle cell disease.

The haematology medical curriculum includes understanding sickle cell and thalassemia as core competencies. Health Education England (HEE) has held discussions with the Royal Colleges of Pathology and Physicians to ensure this curriculum is deliverable to all four nations, in line with General Medical Council standards.

HEE additionally provides two ‘eLearning for healthcare’ programmes with sickle cell content: NHS Screening Programmes and the Maternity Support Worker Programme. Wider eLearning programmes with sessions on sickle cell disease include anaesthesia, radiology, and pain.