A parliamentary report has found that the UK's stem cell transplant system is potentially putting the lives of blood cancer patients at risk due to inadequate infrastructure and a lack of long-term planning.
Key findings of the report
The report, by the all-party parliamentary group on ethnicity transplantation and transfusion, revealed that only 24% of stem cell transplants in the UK used a UK donor in 2024-25. This falls short of the 45% target set by the UK Stem Cell Strategic Forum expert group. Reliance on overseas donors is costly and introduces supply chain risks.
Furthermore, people from minority-ethnic backgrounds face significant health inequalities. They have only a 37% chance of finding a well-matched donor, compared to 72% for white patients of northern European descent.
System not resilient or equitable
The report describes the stem cell transplant system as no longer resilient, sustainable, or equitable, and not meeting patients' needs. Unlike blood and organ donations, there is no single organisation responsible for stem cell donations, leading to slower and more scattered policy changes.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour MP and chair of the APPG, stated: "This report raises urgent questions about whether the UK's stem cell transplant system is truly fit for the future. Patients with blood cancer and other life-threatening conditions depend on a system that is resilient, properly coordinated and equitable – yet our findings show serious gaps in accountability, planning and fairness."
Recommendations and reactions
The APPG has recommended that the government launches a review into the UK's stem cell system. Caitlin Farrow, director of strategy at Anthony Nolan, said the report speaks to the inequity in access for minority ethnic patients, and the charity is committed to addressing this issue.
Orin Lewis, chair of the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, commented: "The findings confirm what we have experienced for many years: too many black, ethnic minority and mixed heritage blood cancer patients continue to face unacceptable inequalities in accessing potentially life-saving stem cell transplants."
The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.
