A webinar series on sickle cell disease and thalassaemia for frontline healthcare professionals
This series will cover the fundamentals of sickle cell disease screening and diagnosis, acute sickle cell complications, managing chronic complications of sickle cell disease and thalassaemia for frontline clinicians.
The webinars are aimed at any healthcare professionals who care for patients with haemoglobinopathies, including general practitioners, allied health professionals working in general practice and hospital-based healthcare professionals.
Eligibility: Open to all patient facing staff.
Cost: Free!
1. Sickle Cell Disease: Basic Screening and Diagnosis
Wednesday 3rd June 2026
This session will cover the basics of sickle cell disease diagnosis and lab tests, including:
- Basic pathophysiology of sickle cell disease, and how this correlates with the clinical picture
- Different types of sickle cell disorders
- How to interpret screening tests, and what to do with results
- Tips and tricks to interpreting laboratory tests in people with sickle cell disorders
2. Acute Sickle Cell Complications: Recognition and Early Management
Wednesday 10th June 2026
This practical session will walk through the common acute presentations of sickle cell disease, including pain crises, acute chest syndrome and other acute complications. This webinar will focus on simple steps you can take early on, whether in GP, ED or on the ward, and highlight when to escalate for specialist input.
3. Living With Sickle Cell Disease: Long-Term Management
Wednesday 17th June 2026
This practical session focuses on the long-term care of patients with sickle cell disease and the role of non-specialists in supporting them.
We will cover:
- Disease-modifying therapies (including hydroxycarbamide and transfusion programmes)
- Routine monitoring and prevention of complications
- Recognising some of long-term complications
- The role of primary care in ongoing support and coordination of care.
4. Thalassaemia for Frontline Clinicians
Wednesday 24th June 2026
A practical introduction to recognising and managing thalassaemia in everyday clinical practice.
- Spotting thalassaemia trait on blood tests
- Avoiding confusion with iron deficiency
- Knowing when to refer
- Overview of different kinds of thalassaemia
- Basics of presentation and management
Dates:
- Weds 3rd June 2026: Sickle Cell Disease: Basic Pathophysiology, Screening and Diagnosis
- Wednesday 10th June 2026: Acute Sickle Cell Complications: Recognition and Early Management
- Wednesday 17th June 2026: Living With Sickle Cell Disease: Long-Term Management
- Wednesday 24th June 2026: Thalassaemia for Frontline Clinicians
Time: 12:30 – 1:15pm, followed by 15-minute Q&A
Location: Microsoft Teams webinar
Registration is available via the provider’s website: https://southwesthcc.nhs.uk/education-hub/professionals/webinar-series-june-2026/
The South West Haemoglobinopathy Coordinating Centre has lots of educaional resources for professionals on their website. This included slideshows, eLearning packages and frameworks. Click here to access!
The protected characteristics monitoring form is separate to the booking button above; completion is optional & anonymous. We ask for information on your ‘protected characteristics’ in order to help us monitor our performance on equality.
If you have already completed this form since April 2026 & nothing has changed, there is no need to complete again.