News

Patients with sickle cell disease and other rare blood disorders are receiving care in a new purpose-built Haematology Red Cell Unit at Queen’s Hospital, designed to improve comfort and patient experience during treatments. 

The dedicated unit provides a specialist space for around 360 local people who come into hospital for regular blood transfusions and red cell exchange procedures, which take several hours. 

During a period of hospital redevelopment the Infusion Suite where transfusions used to take place was repurposed for our new MRI unit, and patients were treated in different areas of the hospital while services were reconfigured. 

Sickle cell patient Kimarri Myers, who lives in Chigwell, wrote to our former CEO Matthew Trainer to highlight concerns about the changes and ask for clarity on what would happen next. 

Kimarri, pictured above, thought she would not get a response for weeks, but the very next morning she woke up to an email from Matthew saying he would look into it. 

In January, she received a letter confirming plans for the new unit, and was delighted to be at the recent opening. 

Kimarri said: 

It’s no longer just an idea or a request, it is real, it represents progress, and I believe it will help myself and many other patients to get care in a more timely, respectful and understanding environment. 

I hope that over time the service continues to grow and sickle cell patients will be able to access the care they need.

Speaking at the opening, our Chair Sarah Betteley said the new unit demonstrates the importance of listening to patients and responding to their experiences.

Sarah Betteley, our Chair, said: 

I’m so pleased we’ve been able to open this dedicated Red Cell Unit. It’s a space that has been created with our patients in mind, and I hope it helps make their time with us easier and more comfortable. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and helped make this happen.  

We recently hosted Crescent Cell, Sickle Moon, a powerful theatre production inspired by the experiences of people living with sickle cell disease. It really brought home the challenges that many patients face and the importance of working with our patients to deliver the services they need.

Patient Lordina Pappoe has a rare form of sickle cell disease that causes her red blood cells to become sticky. 

Patient Lordina Pappoe is pictured above

She comes into the unit every few months for treatment, which often includes a blood exchange where her blood is swapped with donor blood.  

Lordina said: 

It’s better than where we were previously as we now have our own space and we can just come straight here for treatment instead of waiting to check in somewhere else. 

It’s much better as previously you’d be sitting in the waiting room for a long time.

The environment has been carefully designed to be calm and welcoming, with improved lighting, more space and commissioned artwork reflecting the experiences of the sickle cell community. 

The artwork, titled Where Care Flows, was created by artist Rizzy from Akanji Arts Studio. 

Rizzy said:  

Where Care Flows reflects the reliance on donated blood across many communities, including those living with sickle cell, and the importance of care being delivered with dignity and empathy. 

As someone who relies on blood transfusions, it was important to create something that helps patients feel seen, while also honouring the staff and people who make care possible. The work aims to bring warmth and humanity into a space where so much is experienced.