Information for the public

About this information

NICE clinical guidelines advise the NHS on caring for people with specific conditions or diseases and the treatments they should receive. The information applies to people using the NHS in England and Wales.

This information explains the advice about treating acute painful sickle cell episodes (also sometimes known as 'painful crises') in hospital that is set out in NICE clinical guideline 143.

Does this information apply to me?

Yes, if you are:

  • an adult with sickle cell disease who is treated in hospital for an acute painful sickle cell episode

  • a parent or carer of a child or young person who is treated in hospital for an acute painful sickle cell episode (although it is recognised that many children and young people will want to know for themselves what the NICE guidance says).

No, if you:

  • are a sickle cell carrier

  • have sickle cell disease and have types of episodes or crisis that are not acute painful episodes.

  • Information Standard