Transplant Surgery: Stem Cells

(asked on 19th October 2017) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the availability of NHS post-stem cell transplant services for blood cancer patients.


Answered by
Jackie Doyle-Price Portrait
Jackie Doyle-Price
This question was answered on 27th October 2017

Blood and marrow transplantation is divided into distinct phases of treatment. NHS England is responsible for funding the transplant related care which takes place 30 days before transplant and continues until 100 days post-transplant and includes critical care related to the transplant episode.

The care needs of patients post-transplant will often continue beyond 100 days, particularly for recipients of allogenic transplants which involve the stem cells of another donor which can increase the chance of complications.

Under most circumstances commissioning responsibility will usually switch from NHS England to the clinical commissioning groups as outlined in the Manual for Prescribed Specialised Services.

The impact of cancer continues beyond the initial treatment. Patients may experience physical, financial, social and psychological issues. NHS England’s work in supporting the roll out of the Recovery Package for cancer patients, including those who received blood and marrow transplants, 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 other support they may need, such as help at home or financial advice. By 2020 NHS England wants all cancer patients to have access to the Recovery Package and is committed to implementing this in collaboration with charities, professionals and patients themselves.

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