AQW 34236/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 23/10/2025
Answered On Date: 11/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the rationale as to why CAR T-cell therapy cannot be introduced until a new regional haematology ward based at Belfast City Hospital is opened.

Answer:

The Belfast Trust have confirmed that the current infrastructure and inpatient accommodation at Ward 10 North is not suitable to deliver CAR-T Therapy and this deficiency of environment does not meet the British Society for Haematology and Royal College of Physicians established standards, which are endorsed by NICE. The significant redesign and modernisation of the facility as described in the Outline Business Case for the new Regional Haematology Ward is required in order to remedy these issues and ensure that the BHSCT haematology clinical team is best supported to continue to provide safe, effective and appropriate care to patients requiring complex inpatient treatment.