Supporting people living with sickle cell disease in Haringey

Healthwatch Haringey undertook a project about the experiences of people living with sickle cell in Haringey and the challenges they face around accessing benefits and services. The research was commissioned by and delivered with Haringey Advice Partnership, a service led by Citizens Advice Haringey that provides information, advice and guidance to Haringey residents. They interviewed 6 people in Haringey with sickle cell disease and healthcare professionals.

Sickle cell patients face a range of psychosocial challenges which also impact their families and close friends. Addressing these challenges can help to better support people with sickle cell in the management of the condition. Many people with sickle cell report that there is often a low priority and scant attention given to the challenges around workplace discrimination and accessing benefits on the part of practitioners and healthcare professionals. This is on top of already facing stigma, delays in care, allegations of exaggerating their condition, being discredited, racism, microaggressions, inadequate pain management and poor assessments.