To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the provision of CAR-T cell therapy.

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. Delivery of CAR-T Therapy will require this build to be completed.

In this respect I have approved funding for the build subject to final approvals from Departmental officials.

CAR-T services in the new ward will also require service development funding to increase capacity and this will be taken forward by the DoH and the Trust in advance of the completion of the ward as per established commissioning processes and subject to available funding at the time.

In line with current timelines for completion of the build and attainment of relevant accreditation, Trust colleagues have advised that a CAR-T Cell Therapy service could be developed in Northern Ireland by 2030-31.

I recognise the importance of delivering this complex service as close to home as possible for patients, their families and carers. I remain committed to ensuring that we continue to make progress in achieving the necessary standards in infrastructure to sustainably and safely establish this specialist therapy locally in Northern Ireland.

My Department has overseen expansion at scale with regards access to new and very specialist therapies, as endorsed by NICE and secured investments to support the introduction of over 730 Technology Appraisals and a further 30 Highly Specialised Technology Appraisals since 2011. The consistency of this approach, I hope, provides assurance and confidence in both our commitment and our ability to deliver the best and most effective therapeutic regimes available for the people of Northern Ireland.