A parliamentary report has found that the UK's stem cell transplant system may be putting the lives of blood cancer patients at risk due to inadequate infrastructure and a lack of long-term planning. The report, published by the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee, highlights concerns about the capacity and resilience of the system, which is critical for treating conditions such as leukemia and lymphoma.
The committee's inquiry heard evidence from clinicians, patients, and charities, who described a system under strain. Key issues include insufficient funding for transplant units, a shortage of trained staff, and delays in accessing matched donors. The report calls for a national strategy to address these problems, warning that without urgent action, patient outcomes could worsen.
According to the report, the number of stem cell transplants in the UK has risen by 50% over the past decade, but infrastructure has not kept pace. The committee recommends that the government invest in new facilities, improve data collection, and ensure better coordination between NHS trusts and international donor registries.
Health officials have acknowledged the concerns and said they are working on a plan to strengthen the transplant service. However, patient groups argue that more immediate action is needed to prevent avoidable deaths.
