Cancer patients' stem cell treatment made easier

Mother-of-three Francis Townsend had her stem cells collected through the new service

People with blood cancer who need a stem cell transplant can now have their cells collected at Coventry's main hospital, thanks to a new initiative.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) nurses will go to University Hospital to provide the service, avoiding the need for patients to travel elsewhere.

Patients with blood cancer have blood-forming stem cells collected and then returned to them for treatment.

Stem cells can develop into different types of cells and help bone marrow to recover after it has been affected by chemotherapy.

Francis Townsend, 67, a retired seamstress and post office worker from Kineton in Warwickshire, had her stem cells collected through the new service.

The cells are stored and then reinfused to help Ms Townsend's bone marrow recover from the side effects of chemotherapy to treat myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

Without the stem cell treatment to enable her body to grow more red and white blood cells, she would be at greater risk of bleeding and infections, NHSBT stated.

'Achieving goals'

Ms Townsend, a married mother-of-three, says she has "a lot more energy now" and feels "a lot better in myself".

"The stem cell collection was very good. They just collect them from your blood as you sit there," she said.

“I needed them back after the intensive chemo because my own cell levels were not good."

Nursing head of Therapeutic Apheresis Services (Tas) at NHSBT Teresa Baines said the new service was established from its Birmingham hub at the Coventry hospital.

She added it was Tas's strategy to move treatments closer to patients and this was a "prime example of achieving our goals".

Consultant haematologist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust Maria Mushkbar, said the new service was "extremely efficient".

"The transition has certainly streamlined our patient journey with improved patient experience and satisfaction," she said.