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Outdated NHS Policy Blocks Second Transplants
9 Sep
Summary
- NHS policy prevents second transplants within 12 months of relapse.
- Charities urge policy update for fairer access to stem cell treatment.
- Patients may need to fundraise hundreds of thousands for treatment.
A patient expressed profound gratitude for being able to cook in their own kitchen again after a lengthy hospital stay, underscoring the profound impact of such treatments. This personal account highlights a critical issue within NHS England's current policy, established in 2017. This policy prevents patients from receiving a second stem cell transplant if they relapse less than 12 months after their initial procedure.
Nationwide charities Anthony Nolan, DKMS UK, and Leukaemia UK have launched a joint campaign to challenge this rule. They assert that the policy unfairly denies some individuals a potentially life-saving stem cell transplant simply due to financial barriers. Yasmin Sheikh of Anthony Nolan stated that transplant medicine has advanced significantly, yet the policy remains outdated.
Sheikh further explained that this leaves some patients needing to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for a treatment that could offer them another chance at life. She urged NHS England to update its policy to allow clinicians to base decisions on the latest evidence and individual patient needs.
In response, an NHS spokesperson indicated that policy decisions are guided by clinical evidence. An independent review into the case for a second allogeneic stem cell transplant has been commissioned. The spokesperson advised patients with concerns to consult their local clinical team for support during this review process.
