Evaluating new technology for Sickle Cell Trait screening

The Welsh Blood Service is testing new technology to improve how blood donations are screened for Sickle Cell Trait.

Sickle Cell Trait happens when a person inherits one normal haemoglobin gene and one abnormal haemoglobin S gene. Unlike Sickle Cell Disease, people with Sickle Cell Trait usually don’t have symptoms and may not know they carry the gene.

However, it’s important to identify this trait in blood donations. Blood containing haemoglobin S may not be suitable for certain patients, like newborns and people with Sickle Cell Disease. For these patients, even small amounts of haemoglobin S can affect their treatment. Screening for haemoglobin S helps ensure that every donation is safe and suitable for those who need it.

The Welsh Blood Service is testing new systems to detect haemoglobin S more quickly and efficiently while still ensuring the highest levels of safety.

The team behind the project

The project is led by Ann Jones (pictured), Automated Testing Operations Manager, alongside Georgia Stephens, Dewi Reed (pictured) and Carol Ann Beer. Their work is helping to explore new ways to improve the blood screening process for Sickle Cell Trait.

Ann Jones said “Having the opportunity to evaluate these systems has provided invaluable insight into how this testing can be integrated into the Automated Testing Laboratory to enable the provision of Haemoglobin S tested components from our donors in Wales for the patients we serve.”

Dewi Reed and Ann Jones in lab coats standing in front of cabinets