An updated, essential guide for the laboratory diagnosis of haemoglobin disorders This revised and updated third edition of Haemoglobinopathy Diagnosis offers a comprehensive review of the practical information needed for an understanding of the laboratory diagnosis of haemoglobin disorders. Written in a concise and approachable format, the book includes an overview of clinical and laboratory features of these disorders. The author focuses on the selection, performance, and interpretation of the tests that are offered by the majority of diagnostic laboratories. The book also explains when more specialist tests are required and explores what specialist referral centres will accomplish. The information on diagnosis is set in a clinical context. The third edition is written by a leading haematologist with a reputation for educational excellence. Designed as a practical resource, the book is filled with illustrative examples and helpful questions that can aide in the retention of the material presented. Additionally, the author includes information on the most recent advances in the field. This important text: • Contains a practical, highly illustrated, approach to the laboratory diagnosis of haemoglobin disorders • Includes “test-yourself” questions and provides an indispensable tool for learning and teaching • Presents new material on antenatal screening/prenatal diagnostic services • Offers myriad self-assessment case studies that are ideal for the trainee Written for trainees and residents in haematology, practicing haematologists, and laboratory scientists, Haemoglobinopathy Diagnosis is an essential reference and learning tool that provides a clear basis for understanding the diagnosis of haemoglobin disorders.

Screening programmes involve the systematic offer of testing for populations or groups of apparently healthy people to identify individuals who may be at future risk of a particular medical condition or disease, with the aim of offering intervention to reduce their risk. For many years, screening was practised without debate, and without evidence, but in the 1960s serious challenges were raised about many of the screening procedures then being practised. Benefits and harms of screening must be measured in high quality trials, and the benefits of screening must be weighed alongside the negative side-effects. Concerns were raised about potential and actual harm arising when people without a health problem received dangerous and unnecessary investigations and treatments as a result of routine screening tests. Controversy raged, and it took some 50 years to achieve widespread recognition that evidence-based and quality assured programme delivery was essential, coupled with provision of balanced informed to enable informed choice for potential participants. Commercially motivated provision of poor quality and non-evidence based screening tests is increasing and screening remains a highly contested topic that has relevance in all health systems including for the general public and media. This book serves as a practical and comprehensive guide to all aspects of screening. Following the international success of the first edition, this second edition brings extensive updates and new case study material. The first section deals with concepts, methods, and evidence, charts the story of screening back to 1861, and covers all aspects of a screening programme and how to research the full consequences. The second section is a practical guide to sound policy-making and to high quality delivery of best value screening. The controversies, paradoxes, uncertainties, and ethical dilemmas of screening are explained, and each chapter is packed with examples, real-life case histories, helpful summary points, and self-test questions. Reference is made to the NHS, a leader in screening, but the primary focus is on universal principles, making the book highly relevant across the globe.

Screening policies for sickle cell and thalassaemia have only recently been formalized in the UK. This book asks what types of ethnicity information are relevant for health professionals to ask as part of this screening and why. Through extensive use of interview material, the book draws upon the experiences of sickle cell and thalassaemia counsellors who have been at the forefront of understanding in this area. The book: . Demonstrates how best practice for screening in a multi-ethnic society requires us to better understand the myth of 'races', the meanings of concepts such as ethnicity and racialization, and the relation of racism to issues of citizenship, immigration, asylum and nationality. . Shows how learning from best practice for screening could be a model for developing cultural competency across all types of health care provision. . Clarifies, through the use of the biologically-grounded exemplar of sickle cell and thalassaemia, debates of 'race' and ethnicity for those working in social sciences. . Listens to the voices of experience and validates the hitherto unacknowledged achievements of professional women from minoritized ethnic groups. Extensive direct quotations from experienced sickle cell and thalassemia counsellors Explanations of key concepts, such as 'race', ethnicity and racism Explanation of the political, social and historical factors underlying tensions in asking an ethnicity questions Further resources and website information