Children, young people and adults in the North East suffering from sickle cell disease will soon benefit from better care closer to where they live, following the announcement of a national £1.5 million investment in 25 red blood cell exchange devices.

Funding for the Spectra Optia^® Apheresis System devices has been distributed to 22 NHS trusts, including South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

NHS Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals will get funding for two machines, while NHS South Tees Hospitals has funding for one. The devices will be installed in hospitals for the treatment of patients by the end of March.

These trusts were selected as one of the locations for the technology as they expressed an interest in expanding their automated red blood cell exchange services. This will mean patients in urban, rural and coastal areas will have improved access to services, which in turn will help tackle the inequalities in healthcare access and health outcomes amongst people with sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts people from West African and Afro-Caribbean communities, and patients also often live in the most socio-economically deprived areas and are at higher risk of both re-admissions and in-hospital mortality. Sickle cell patients often find themselves in and out of hospitals, enduring severe pain and requiring regular ‘top-up’ blood transfusions. Automating red blood cell exchanges can help reduce the necessity for top-up transfusions, effectively manage pain, and lower the risk of experiencing a crisis. Eligible patients can receive the treatment every six to eight weeks.

This investment comes from NHS England Specialised Commissioning. The Spectra Optia device is one of the technologies supported through NHS England’s MedTech Funding Mandate. The Health Innovation Network (formerly known as the AHSN Network) is the lead delivery partner for the Mandate, which is designed to accelerate the adoption of selected cost-saving medical technologies, diagnostics, and digital products recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Improving access to red blood cell exchange therapy has the potential to save NHS England up to £12.9m^[1] annually while reducing health inequalities.

Harriet Smith, National Programme Lead for Spectra Optia, at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, said: “This funding will play a pivotal role in ensuring sickle cell patients receive more regular care closer to where they live, as well as help reduce health inequalities. I’m very proud of the role the MedTech Funding Mandate has played in the roll-out of this technology to ensure we meet the automated red blood cell exchange needs of sickle cell patients.”

John Stewart, National Director for Specialised Commissioning, NHS England, added: “NHS England is committed to improving the support provided to people with sickle cell disease. This investment to increase the number of devices for automated red blood cell exchange across the country will support the expansion of services and improve access for patients who need regular transfusions.”

Verena Stocker, Director of Research, Innovation, Life Sciences and Strategy, NHS England, said: “This innovation is a great example of how working collaboratively across organisations helps accelerate the uptake of life-changing innovations. We are committed to bringing the best health technologies to patients more quickly, supporting the spread and adoption of medical devices, diagnostics, and digital products that are clinically effective.”

Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, said: “This investment helps more patients get treatment with a proven therapy to manage sickle cell disease. This option has existed for years but has been inaccessible to some patients — especially in underserved communities — due to barriers, including limited awareness. Now, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the NHS, the Health Innovation Network and the voice of patients, this sickle cell therapy with Spectra Optia will be an option for more people who may benefit.”

Find out more about the MedTech Funding Mandate. If you would like more information about Spectra Optia, please contact National Programme Lead harriet.smith@yhahsn.com

[1] Figure from the NICE guidelines: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg28/chapter/1-Recommendations