Call for 'outdated' transplant rules to be changed

A mother-of-two with leukaemia is calling for an overhaul of what she describes as "outdated NHS transplant funding rules".

Ruth Wake, 57, from Staffordshire, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in January 2024.

She had a double umbilical cord transplant in September 2024 which gave her a new lease of life. But the disease has come back and, according to NHS guidelines, she is ineligible for a second transplant.

"All decisions around repeat stem cell transplants should be made between patient and clinician and in line with the latest clinical policy, which is kept under review," said an NHS spokesperson.

"Under the rules that NHS England have published… they don't offer any second transplants for patients, regardless of who you are, what your situation is, what your fitness level is - it's just a blank 'no'," said Ms Wake, of Brewood.

"One day I woke up and I thought, 'No, I've got two daughters, and I'm going to do everything I physically can to go down with a bang, if I have to go down'."

Ms Wake funded her second transplant privately, as she was told palliative care was the only option.

"Bupa are going to pay for me, I'm the same person, why do they think I'm worth a chance and the NHS don't think I'm worth a chance?

"I'm lucky enough that I've got that option, where there are others who don't.

"It is fight or die and I think that's the thing, and I know a lot of people probably don't have the fight in them… you're told you're terminal and there's nothing you can do."

She said she wanted the NHS to review its guidelines and treat patients as individuals.

An NHS spokesperson said: "Living with cancer is extremely difficult and the NHS is committed to improving care and outcomes by ensuring patients have access to the latest innovative treatments on the NHS.

"All decisions around repeat stem cell transplants should be made between patient and clinician and in line with the latest clinical policy, which is kept under review.

"If any patients are concerned or have questions about their treatment options, they should speak with their local clinical team for support."

Fiona Hazell, chief executive at Leukaemia UK, said: "We are urgently calling upon the government to prioritise improving survival rates for AML and other blood cancers, alongside solid tumours, in its upcoming National Cancer Plan.

"This commitment is essential to ensure better outcomes for patients now and in the future."

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