Haemoglobinopathies (Hansard, 27 January 2004)

§ Mr. Rosindell
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Government plans to increase awareness of sickle cell and thalassaemia. [147894]

§ Miss Melanie Johnson
NHS Plan set out a commitment to introduce, by 2004, new and effective screening programmes for women and children, including a new national linked antenatal and neonatal programme for sickle cell and thalassaemia. The sickle cell and thalassaemia screening programme has held a series of workshops throughout the country, with the aim of increasing awareness of the objectives and principles of the programme among general practitioners, practice nurses, midwives, health visitors, laboratory and administrative staff. To support the national rollout of the newborn sickle cell screening, the programme is planning various activities to develop a mass media campaign to improve the visibility of these disorders in communities with the highest prevalence.
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§ Mr. Rosindell
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Government plans to increase community support networks and facilities for sickle cell and thalassaemia sufferers and their families. [147895]

§ Miss Melanie Johnson
Local implementation of the national health service sickle cell and thalassaemia screening programme in England is being supported by a UK National Screening Committee development programme. The programme is being developed in partnership with the key community and voluntary sector stakeholders. A key element of the national work is a community consultation and engagement project to ensure community awareness and acceptance of the screening programme. The screening programme works closely with voluntary groups to ensure that they are well informed about developments.
The Department is working with professional organisations to consider proposals for clinical networks of services to be developed, allowing patients to be cared for locally.