Darent Valley Hospital has launched its first Joint Paediatric and Adult Sickle Cell Transition Clinic, marking a significant milestone in the development of its Sickle Cell Service and improving the experience of young people moving into adult care.
Led by Dr Suresh Kumar and Dr Natalie Heeney, the new clinic, launched in July 2026, brings together paediatric and adult specialist teams to provide a coordinated and seamless transition for young people with sickle cell disease. By giving patients and their families the opportunity to meet the adult team while continuing to receive support from familiar paediatric clinicians, the service aims to reduce anxiety, improve continuity of care and encourage long-term engagement with treatment.
Until now, many young people reaching adulthood have had to transfer their care to another hospital. The new model allows eligible patients who have grown up receiving care at Darent Valley Hospital to continue their journey within the Trust, supported by a dedicated adult sickle cell service.
The collaborative approach between the paediatric and adult multidisciplinary teams is a major step forward in delivering person-centred care, helping young people feel supported and empowered as they move into adulthood.
Dr Suresh Kumar, Paediatric Lead Consultant for the Sickle Cell Service, said:
"This is a truly exciting milestone for our service. Over the past 17 years, we have seen the service grow from caring for just 15 children to now supporting more than 140 children and young people. It is incredibly rewarding to see children who were born at Darent Valley Hospital, and who have received all of their specialist sickle cell care here, now able to continue their journey into adulthood with our own adult sickle cell team. Being able to provide seamless care within our own Trust is something we are immensely proud of and reflects how far our service has come."
Dr Natalie Heeney, Adult Consultant Haematologist, said:
"The introduction of our joint transition clinic marks an important step in strengthening the partnership between our paediatric and adult sickle cell teams. By bringing both teams together, we are providing a smoother, more supportive transition for young people while improving continuity of care. Working collaboratively has already had a positive impact on patient engagement and communication between teams, and it provides a strong foundation as we continue to strengthen our adult sickle cell service."
The launch of the Joint Transition Clinic reflects Darent Valley Hospital's continued commitment to improving outcomes for people living with sickle cell disease through integrated, compassionate and high-quality care closer to home. The service has been warmly welcomed by patients and families, who are delighted to see this long-awaited development become a reality.