Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the NHS has to introduce stem-cell treatment as a substitute for hip and knee replacements.

The National Health Service supports the development of all stem cell research in the hope of adopting effective therapies for the future but will only recommend routine use when it is judged to be effective and safe.

A number of NHS and academic units in the United Kingdom are actively involved in research and evaluation of techniques using stem cells to promote cartilage regeneration in hips and knees. Whilst the research is potentially promising, evaluation of the clinical effectiveness, including a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence review into cellular techniques to regenerate cartilage, has not supported the routine use of these type of techniques unless as part of a controlled ongoing scientific trial.