Promoting Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia through Expert Patients
This project application builds on the good practice and success of the 2003 self-help group pilot project for people with Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia.
The sponsor is OSCAR Sandwell, which is a community based voluntary organisation that was founded in 1988 and has its centre in the Greets Green New Deal for Communities area.
It represents all communities, working mainly with individuals and carers of those affected by Sickle Cell or Thalassaemia blood disorders. Since 1999, OSCAR Sandwell has always been an important part of the Greets Green Partnership as a resource centre for local people, not just for Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Sufferers.
This Project has received funding from the New deal for Communities (NDC) funding over the a 3 years and will;
- Provide local people with sound and accurate information about their conditions and will increase their confidence and sense of well-being.
- Empower them to take action on their own health and how to support others, especially those from the black and ethnic minority communities.
- Address barriers that currently prevent people from accessing services and information and will work with local professionals and agencies to increase awareness of the needs of people affected by Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia and other life-limiting illnesses.
The project is more than just a continuation of the self-help group as it will also focus on five additional areas of work:
- Strengthening the Expert Patient agenda at a local level in partnership with the Department of Health and Sandwell Primary Care Trust. http://www.sandwell-pct.nhs.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=188&Itemid=123
- Community research to find out more about the incidence in Greets Green of Sickle Cell and other life-limiting conditions.
- Encouraging increased take-up of screening services.
- Working with local agencies and professionals to improve awareness and provide training on Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia and other chronic diseases.
- Launching the “One Blood” campaign locally to support people to give blood, especially those from black and minority ethnic groups in the Greets Green area.