Sickle and thalassaemia nursing competencies launched

The network is fortunate to have many exceptional members of staff delivering outstanding care to our red cell communities. Consultant Nurse Sekayi Tangayi of North Middlesex University Hospital, has been leading on improving care for people with sickle cell disorder and thalassaemia for many years. 

Back in 2011, when Sekayi was working at East London Foundation Trust (Community Health Newham) Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre, she initiated a project that led to the first competency framework for nursing staff caring for people with sickle cell disorder and thalassaemia. 

In November 2024, a second edition of the framework has been published that reflects increasing recognition of the need to rapidly improve the experience of people living with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia syndromes, whether they are cared for in hospital or in the community – alongside new chapters on managing iron chelation therapy and emphasis on early transitioning from paediatric to adult settings. 

The Royal College of Nursing have now officially launched the revised competency framework and it is available on the RCN website.