About the West London Haemoglobinopathy Coordinating Centres (HCC)

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Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects haemoglobin, the component of blood that transports oxygen. People who have this condition require specialist care throughout their lives. The disorder mainly affects black and minority ethnic populations which often have poorer health outcomes.

The prevalence of haemoglobinopathies across England varies widely, with the majority of patients concentrated around urban areas, as does the expertise to manage these conditions. London centres report that they treat 8726 patients (March 2018), not including those from neighbouring areas that are part of the London ODNs, which translates to 62% of all registered haemoglobinopathy patients.