Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Opened the debate

Mark Tami, MP for Alyn and Deeside, raised the issue of the impact of the cost of living crisis on stem cell transplant patients and their families. He highlighted that a stem cell transplant is an intensive treatment for blood cancer and blood disorders, with fewer than 5,000 people receiving one annually in the UK. Tami shared his personal experience as a father to a child who underwent such a procedure, noting the financial and logistical burdens faced by patients and their families, including debts incurred during hospital stays and reliance on public transport for those without cars.

Government Response

Minister Neil O'Brien congratulated Mark Tami on securing the debate. He noted Government funding exceeding £28 million since 2011 to support stem cell transplantation infrastructure and highlighted plans for additional investment of £2.4 million over three years. O'Brien acknowledged the challenges patients face due to their weakened immune systems, mentioning generous cost-of-living support measures including a £3,300 average household benefit, an extended Household Support Fund with £1 billion funding, and an energy price guarantee covering nearly half of a typical household’s energy bill by June 2023. He detailed the Warm Home Discount scheme's provision of over £3.5 billion in rebates since 2011 for low-income households and expanded eligibility to include universal credit recipients. Additionally, O'Brien discussed various financial aids available to stem cell transplant patients, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and healthcare travel costs schemes, emphasising the Government’s commitment to improving access to these services promptly.