Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information is available on support and self-help groups for patients recovering from a stem cell transplant.

Post-transplant care for patients is important. NHS England’s Specialised Commissioning team and Clinical Reference Group for blood and marrow transplants (BMT) are undertaking work mapping care post-day 100 days.

There are no current plans to review the responsibilities of services commissioned by NHS England and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) for BMT at this time, NHS England will be assessing BMT in more detail over the next 18 months and will take the opportunity to further support improved pathway planning and commissioning of services that it and CCGs fund.

NHS England’s work in supporting the roll out of the Recovery Package for cancer patients, including those who received BMT, helps ensure patients have more personal care and support from the point they are diagnosed and once treatment ends. For patients this means working with their care team to develop a comprehensive plan outlining not only their physical needs, but also additional support, such as help at home or financial advice. By 2020 NHS England wants all cancer patients to have access to the Recovery Package.

Information about specific support or self-help groups available for patients recovering from a stem cell transplant is not directly held by the Department or NHS England. However, we would expect treating clinicians/ clinical teams to provide any relevant information to their patients during the course of the treatment or upon discharge.