Sickle cell campaigners rejoice as dedicated unit is set to reopen
The Source first reported on its closing after six-month pilot
The Source Exclusive: Sickle cell campaigners rejoice as dedicated unit is set to reopen
STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO
MARCH 3, 2026
The Royal London Hospital’s Sickle Cell Patients Emergency Care Day Unit in Whitechapel, London, will reopen.
The vital unit closed its doors following a six-month pilot in January this year, despite warnings over A&E waiting times and even fears of potential deaths.
But following calls for the facility to remain open as first reported by The Source, the Royal London Hospital pressed ahead with plans to close the unit, with Barts Health Trust releasing a statement saying it ‘recognised the strength of feeling’ and that there would be no change to the management of sickle cell.
Since the pilot ended, The Source also reported on patients in “excruciating” crises say they are now treated as an “afterthought” and have been forced to endure staff ‘forgetting’ to give pain relief, as well as having to spend 12 hours on chairs in hospital corridors used as “makeshift treatment zones.”
But now, a month after shutting its doors, according to national charity, The Sickle Cell Society - the unit will reopen.
In a post on Instagram, The Sickle Cell Society wrote: “Breaking News: We have been in discussions with the commisioners regarding the Same Day Emergency Care Unit at The Royal London Hospital, and as a result, it will REOPEN.
“Full statement to follow.”
Youth worker, Delo Biye who campaigned for the unit to reopen by launching a petition which reached over 44,000 signatures.
Speaking exclusively to The Source, he expressed his joy at hearing the news.
Delo said: “That’s fantastic. That’s amazing. I’m ecstatic.
“I knew it was going to happen. I didn’t know when but I knew. I knew we had to keep going.
“I was just walking by faith that it would happen. I said to myself, ‘don’t stop. They can’t keep resisting, we are the people they are working for.’
“I just knew to keep on.”
The Royal London Hospital has been contacted for comment.
This is a developing story, more to follow.