Towards better sickle cell transition services

The Observatory’s proposed work programme on children and young persons’ sickle cell care focuses on identifying and rolling out optimal transition (from paediatric to adult services) care. Research has shown poor experiences of care among young people with sickle cell disorder outside of specialist NHS services, with young people’s voices often being ignored.

The transition from paediatric to adult services is an important process for patients with chronic conditions. The likelihood of chronic conditions being well managed into adulthood is greater when the process is well supported. A lack of good transitional care can have lasting, harmful consequences.

This invitation to tender is deliberately broad with the aim of establishing a range of optimal online and face-to-face resources for delivering high quality transition sickle care. We invite bids that can lead to the delivery of evidence-based improvements in sickle cell transition care across the NHS. Proposals can include experience and insights of how transition related care has been delivered across other chronic disorders.

The successful bid will combine academic and clinical subject matter expertise, with a focus on implementation into practice, and must effectively demonstrate approaches to working collaboratively with community and patient representation and input. We will assess skills in, and experience of, working closely with patients with lived experience, healthcare professionals, community organisations, and healthcare managers.

More information can be found in the Invitation to Tender PDF document here.

We welcome submissions from all interested organisations.  Tender submissions should be made by Monday June 3, 2024.