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Written question asked by Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour) on Monday, 15 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. It was answered by Preet Kaur Gill (Labour) on Thursday, 25 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Stem Cells: Databases

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of levels of integration in existing data systems across haematopoietic stem cell registries on the ability of clinicians to identify suitable donors in a clinically relevant timeframe; and what steps he is taking to improve end-to-end data integration across the transplant pathway.

Answer

The number of minority ethnic and mixed heritage donors added to the United Kingdom aligned stem cell registry each year are presented in annual State of the Registry Reports, which can be found at the following link:

https://www.anthonynolan.org/what-we-do/our-organisation/annual-reviews-and-reports?page=1

It should be noted that the reports refer to donors ‘made active’, potential donors who have been tissue typed and are searchable on the registry, as opposed to ‘recruited’, when the details of the potential donor are first taken. There is a small delay from recruited to made active.

Data relating to stem cell transplantation, including patient demographic information and clinical outcomes, is collected by transplant centres. The Data Commission, established by the UK Stem Cell Strategic Forum, is working to make collection, availability, and analysis of this data is more consistent throughout the patient pathway from diagnosis to long term follow up.

NHS Blood and Transplant and registry partners continue to invest in digital infrastructure and participate in international initiatives to improve data exchange and streamline donor search and procurement processes. Work is ongoing to modernise registry connectivity through the adoption of new digital platforms and standards, improving end-to-end integration across the transplant pathway. These efforts will need to be complemented by investment in transplant centre data collection and exchange.

The Department has launched a comprehensive review of the current system to ensure stem cell supply and use for transplantation is optimised. Data systems and governance will be considered as part of this review.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
9691
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
ICT Donors Transplant surgery Stem cells
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk