How long will the needs last?
This guidance covers:-
- Sickle cell anaemia
- Haemolytic disorder - Other / type not known
Awards related to therapy are recommended to last until therapy ends or a child could be expected to manage their own therapy. Most children should be able to manage their own therapy and monitor their condition by age 12-14. Children on chelation therapy could be expected to manage this substantially themselves by age 14. Children on transfusion therapy undergoing chelation therapy at home are likely to remain on this treatment.
| Age at date of claim | Award Period |
|---|---|
| 0-14 – currently on iron chelation therapy | Award to age 14 (or for one year whichever is longer) |
| 0-15 – not on iron chelation therapy but having frequent crises | Initial award for 5 years followed by further awards for 5 years or to age 16 (whichever is sooner) |
| 0-15 – joint problems present | Award for 2 years or until joint surgery is performed (whichever is sooner) |
| 0-15 – undergoing rehab / treatment due to stroke complications | Award for 2 years |
Children not on chelation therapy but who require care from their parents because of frequent crises more than twice a month should be reviewed every 5 years as the frequency of crises can change over time.
Awards related to arthritis and avascular necrosis should be reviewed after joint surgery or after 2 years whichever is sooner as treatment to improve joint mobility is expected to be successful.
Children awarded entitlement after a stroke should be reviewed after 2 years as a substantial number could be expected to have improved after 2 years. If further medical evidence at this stage shows that they still have needs then indefinite awards are recommended.
