Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the extent of compliance in the NHS with NICE guidance that Sickle Cell patients should receive pain relief within 30 minutes of admittance to Accident and Emergency care; and if he will make a statement.

As part of this years’ World Sickle Cell Day, NHS England launched a new sickle cell disease awareness campaign on the signs and symptoms of sickle cell disease, aimed at urgent and emergency care staff and those living with the condition and their carers.

There have been recent improvements to the haematology medical curriculum, with understanding sickle cell disease and thalassemia now described in the curriculum as core competencies. Health Education England (HEE) provides e-learning which includes content on sickle cell disease. 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’s (GMC) standards. The Haemoglobinopathy Coordinating Centres also provide network development, leadership, learning and education.

The Sickle Cell Society and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia report ‘No One’s Listening’ highlighted the lack of awareness of sickle cell disease among healthcare professionals. Officials are considering the report’s recommendations. NHS England estimates that awareness amongst accident and emergency medical and nursing staff, specifically of conditions such as sickle cell disease, is high across England and in areas where there is a higher prevalence of the condition. However, NHS England and other bodies continue with further awareness raising.

No specific assessment has been made regarding the extent of compliance to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidance on pain relief for sickle cell patients. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) considers evidence of how registered persons have met fundamental standards through its regulatory approach. The CQC will consider the processes providers have to ensure that best practice is implemented for quality standards, including NICE’s guidelines.