NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme (SCT)
Build practical capability for the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia screening pathway, from antenatal risk assessment to newborn screening. Cover the Family Origin Questionnaire (FOQ), screening tests, results interpretation and communicating outcomes, supported by structured eLearning units and a laboratory-focused module.
Designed for staff working in (or supporting) the NHS SCT screening pathway.
Who is this SCT course for?
- Antenatal screeners
- Newborn screeners
- Maternity staff
- Screening practitioners
- Screening laboratory staff
- Haemoglobinopathy teams
- Clinical support staff
- Learners in training
What’s on this page?
Introduction to the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme (SCT)
This learning supports healthcare professionals involved in the linked Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme, covering antenatal screening (including the FOQ and blood testing) and newborn screening for sickle cell disease as part of the newborn blood spot pathway.
It focuses on the conditions being screened for, what results may mean for parents and babies, and how to communicate outcomes in a way that supports informed choice. A separate laboratory module also supports staff who need a deeper focus on detection and more complex findings.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
- Describe the purpose and scope of the linked antenatal and newborn SCT screening pathway.
- Identify when and how the FOQ and blood tests are used within screening.
- Recognise the key conditions covered (including sickle cell disease and thalassaemia major) and why early identification matters.
- Explain what antenatal screening results can indicate and outline appropriate next steps.
- Apply good practice when communicating results and responding to questions and concerns.
You can also:
- Describe how newborn screening for sickle cell disease fits within the Newborn Bloodspot Programme.
- Use the laboratory module to refresh detection requirements and test knowledge via assessment questions.
Course features
- 10-unit eLearning structure, including a “toolbox” unit that consolidates resources and references.
- Coverage across the pathway: screening context, conditions, testing, results and communication.
- Laboratory module split into Level 1, Level 2 and a quiz.
- 20-question multiple-choice quiz with a printable certificate for portfolio evidence.
- Designed for staff working in (or supporting) the NHS SCT screening pathway.
Why choose eIntegrity?
Quick access to the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia programme learning in one place, with clear next steps to get started.
Suitable for all healthcare professionals involved in sickle cell and thalassaemia screening.
Developed by the UK’s leading medical experts.
Easy to share across teams so learners can access relevant content faster.
Course content overview
This programme brings together two complementary elements: an eLearning module that follows the antenatal-to-newborn pathway and a laboratory-focused module for staff who need to revisit detection requirements and more complex findings. Units include practical topics such as the Family Origin Questionnaire (FOQ), interpreting screening results, and communicating outcomes, with a final toolbox that collates supporting materials.
- Subject areas covered: antenatal + newborn screening; haemoglobinopathies; sickle cell disease; thalassaemia; informed choice and diverse needs; the FOQ and screening tests; antenatal results; communicating results; newborn infant screening; supporting resources (toolbox).
- What’s included: eLearning units; toolbox/resources summary; laboratory module (Level 1 and Level 2); assessment quiz; printable certificate (quiz).
- Scale: 10 eLearning units (including toolbox) + laboratory module split into 2 levels and a quiz.
Who developed this course?
The NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia (SCT) Screening Programme was developed by NHS England with major input from Public Health England (now part of the Department of Health and Social Care) and theUK National Screening Committee, ensuring it reflects national policy and best practice. Key partners, including the Sickle Cell Society and the UK Thalassaemia Society, also contributed essential expertise to support equitable, informed screening. The course provides a clear, accessible overview of the linked antenatal‑to‑newborn SCT pathway, covering the Family Origin Questionnaire, screening tests, results interpretation and communicating outcomes.
Our online SCT modules
- AN and NB screening for sickle cell, thalassaemia and other haemoglobin variants
- Understanding haemoglobinopathies
- About sickle cell disease
- About Thalassaemia
- Informed choice and understanding diverse needs in screening
- Understanding the screening test and the FOQ
- Understanding antenatal screening results
- Communicating and responding to screening results
- Screening the newborn infant
- Toolbox
Access 24/7
The NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia (SCT) Screening Programme is delivered entirely online, giving you the flexibility to learn at home, in the workplace or while on the move. Each unit is short and focused, allowing you to build knowledge of the SCT pathway around busy clinical or screening responsibilities without losing progress.
With most topics designed as concise, practical modules, you can dip in and out whenever you need a refresher on the Family Origin Questionnaire, interpreting antenatal results or communicating newborn screening outcomes. This makes the programme ideal for strengthening confidence in the linked antenatal‑to‑newborn SCT pathway, even when time is limited.
Once you’ve completed the course or individual units, you can download a printable certificate via the eIntegrity Hub as evidence of learning. While the programme does not offer CPD accreditation, the certificate can still be used to support your professional portfolio, appraisal or local training requirements.
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Comparing the cost of SCT screening training
Traditional haemoglobinopathy‑screening training can be difficult to organise and may require staff to attend in‑person sessions or multiple refresher days. With the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia (SCT) e‑learning programme, you gain online access to a complete set of focused modules covering the antenatal‑to‑newborn pathway, including the Family Origin Questionnaire (FOQ), screening tests, interpreting results and communicating outcomes. This makes updating SCT knowledge more flexible and cost‑effective than coordinating separate screening workshops or laboratory refresher sessions.
How to get started
You can begin by enrolling through the eIntegrity platform, where you can work through the SCT modules at your own pace. Each unit is short and self‑contained, allowing you to build confidence in the FOQ, antenatal screening practice, haemoglobinopathy results and newborn blood spot outcomes without disrupting your clinical schedule.
Who is this programme suitable for?
This course is designed for professionals involved in the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme, including:
- Antenatal screeners
- Newborn screeners
- Maternity staff
- Screening practitioners
- Screening laboratory staff
- Haemoglobinopathy teams
- Clinical support staff
- Learners in training
The programme supports anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of haemoglobinopathy screening, communicate results effectively and provide consistent, informed support to parents across both antenatal and newborn pathways.
