Acute Sickle Cell Unit (ASCU)

The Acute Sickle Cell Unit (ASCU) Emergency Department Bypass Unit is a specialist unit that provides rapid support and analgesia (pain relief) for adults experiencing a sickle cell crisis.

Our unit is here to help sickle cell patients bypass long waits for specialist treatment in Emergency Departments (ED). Our team is made up of experts specialising in treating sickle cell, who can provide advice, support and treatment.

Location

Laurel Ward, 5th floor Riverside Building, Orange Zone, University Hospital Lewisham

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Contact

For referrals and patient advice, call us on the number below. Our unit is open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week and last referrals should be sent to us by 4pm.

Tel: 020 3192 6912 

Out of hours: The hospital emergency teams can provide an advice service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which can be reach via switchboard at both hospital sites.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital switchboard: 020 8836 6000

University Hospital Lewisham switchboard: 020 8333 3000

How we can help

Our aim is to shorten the wait for treatment for adults experiencing a sickle cell crisis and reduce the chance of hospital admission.

We can see adults over the age of 18 living with sickle cell and who are experiencing a crisis. We aim to provide analgesia within 30 minutes of your arrival at University Hospital Lewisham.

Our unit is here as an alternative pathway for sickle cell patients who would typically need to present at A&E and wait for specialist treatment.

People who see us will have access to a lead haemoglobinopathy consultant with over 30 years of experience in treating disorders of the blood and a specialist team of advanced clinical practitioners.

How to get a referral

You can be referred to us by the unit by Emergency Departments (ED), the London Ambulance Service.

You can also self-refer by using the telephone number above. A member of our expert team will speak with you to assess your condition, provide advice and recommend admission, if necessary.

Improving care in south-east London

The ASCU is an integral part of sickle cell services at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, which serves the fifth largest sickle cell population in the country. It complements our extensive inpatient, outpatient, specialist psychology and red cell apheresis services.

We are part of the South-East London Sickle Cell Improvement Programme; a two-year pilot aimed at improving services for people in south-east London.

We are also taking part in the ongoing REVAL trial at Manchester University which is researching new models of specialist care for people living with sickle cell at several pilot sites across London and further afield in England.

To find out more about specialist sickle cell services in the area, visit the South East London Integrated Care System website.

Learn more about the South East London Sickle Cell Improvement Programme

About our team

The ASCU team is led by Dr Tullie Yeghen, Lead Haemoglobinopathy Consultant with other 30 years’ experience in treating sickle cell disease and other blood disorders, and Michael Barns, Lead Advanced Clinical Practitioner, with over 10 years’ experience in emergency and pre-hospital medicine, including sickle cell disease.

Our team includes advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs), highly trained healthcare professionals who are educated to masters level (MSc).