AQW 53195/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 28/09/2026
Answered On Date: 13/10/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps taken to improve survival rates of acute myeloid leukaemia, in the last three years.

Answer:

Improving outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remains an important priority for my department.

Over the last three years, a number of measures have been undertaken within the regional haematology service, led by Belfast Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust, to support earlier diagnosis, access to innovative treatments and improved patient outcomes. These include consultant involvement in the development of national good practice guidance for the diagnosis and monitoring of AML; participation in UK-wide clinical and research networks; and engagement in the UK national high-risk AML multidisciplinary team meeting, which supports access to expert clinical advice on complex cases.

Patients in Northern Ireland have also benefited from the timely introduction of new treatments approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including targeted therapies such as quizartinib and ivosidenib where clinically appropriate.

In addition, the regional service has introduced new genomic testing capabilities to support diagnosis and measurable residual disease monitoring and continues to participate in clinical trials and national patient registries. These developments are helping to strengthen the evidence base for treatment, support personalised care and improve the quality of care available to patients with AML.