Local MP demands more financial support for blood cancer patients

Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami chaired a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Stem Cell Transplantation.

Undergoing a stem cell transplant can cause a drastic fall in household income and compounding this the cost-of-living crisis is having a disproportionate impact on patients and their families. Many patients will have to take considerable time off work to undergo treatment and ensure a full recovery. As well as this, costs for these patients rise as their severely weakened immune systems require more is spent on keeping extra warm, avoiding infection and buying food for a neutropenic diet in order to survive. As well as this, patients are required to attend regular follow-up hospital appointments, further incurring travel-related costs. 

The meeting was an opportunity for MPs to discuss the issues facing patients, map out what support is currently available across the UK, and to consider potential policy solutions. The APPG was joined by the Shadow Minister for Public Health, Andrew Gwynne MP, a patient representative and staff from the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan.  

Tom Bishop, Head of Patient Information at Anthony Nolan, shared results from the charity’s patient survey finding that 2/3rds of patients are struggling to heat their homes and over 1/2 are struggling to buy food and travel to vital hospital appointments. As well as this, the survey finds 70% of patients have considered returning to work earlier than medically advised, jeopardising their recovery.  

Cheryl Bell, a Haematology and Haemophilia Social Worker from Newcastle Council, shared her experiences of working with patients going through these struggles, some of whom reportedly postponing potentially life-saving treatments as they simply cannot afford to be out of work.  

Anthony Nolan is calling on the UK Government to extend the Warm Home Discount to all stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy recipients, establish a Patient Travel Fund across the UK and guarantee timely access to benefits.  

Mark Tami MP said:

“I hope today’s meeting gave policymakers in attendance some pause for thought on the extent of financial struggles stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy patients are going through. It’s simply wrong that on top of the emotional toll of blood cancer diagnosis, patients are having to choose between life-saving treatment and financial stability.  

“It was promising to hear from Andrew Gwynne MP about the Labour Party’s plans to ensure the necessary support is provided to patients under a future Labour administration. Ultimately, stem cell transplant patients have one chance of recovery, so they need additional support now to see them through the cost-of-living crisis. We can and we must do more.” 

Pictured - (From left to right) Cheryl Bell, Tom Bishop, Andrew Gwynne MP and Mark Tami MP.