Debate contribution: CAR T-cell Therapy
Debate contribution by Mr Alan Chambers on .
- MLA
- Mr Alan Chambers
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 22 September 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Opposition Business
- Heading
- CAR T-cell Therapy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5124489
Read the official Assembly record
Text
First and foremost, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Catherine Sherry. Her tragic passing is a stark reminder to us all of the unbelievably cruel nature of cancer. As Catherine was a mum of three young boys, her case is particularly poignant and upsetting. Thankfully, over recent decades, there has been significant progress in the treatments and interventions available. CAR T-cell therapy represents one of the most significant breakthroughs in cancer treatment in recent years. That level of advanced treatment now offers hope where, in the past, there would have been little. However, the arrangements here are far from ideal; indeed, patients are being separated from their loved ones at the very moment when they need them the most. The absence of a CAR T-cell therapy service locally is an issue not just of geography but of fairness. It is about ensuring that a postcode does not determine whether someone can spend their last days surrounded by family or in a hospital hundreds of miles away. I welcome, however, the fact that, instead of trying to justify or explain away the current problems, the Minister of Health here has been upfront in his assessment that he wants to see the position changed and that the mechanism to see a local service introduced here is the delivery of a new regional haematology ward in Belfast City Hospital. Thankfully, that project has been prioritised to proceed, although I acknowledge that it will take some time. An all-island solution would not be just as straightforward as adopting a new policy on this side of the border. Perhaps the Minister will update us later, but access to CAR T-cell therapy in the Republic is already, as others have said, running close to maximum capacity. A bit like us, it is in the process of investing in future haematology capabilities. Overall, I support the call for equitable access to CAR T-cell therapy for our citizens. Thankfully, that appears to be the current direction of travel.
335 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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