SICKLE CELL DISEASE

That this House observes that sickle cell disease is one of the most common genetic diseases in the country and affects over 12,500 people in the UK; notes that knowledge of the condition is still low and welcomes the start of Sickle Cell Awareness Month; recognises that access to care and support for patients with sickle cell disease varies widely across the UK; welcomes the publication by the Sickle Cell Society of the Standards for the Clinical Care of Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in the UK; and recommends that the standards be implemented and services audited in an attempt to raise levels of care and reduce the health inequalities which many sickle cell patients currently face.