Parliamentary Question addressed to the Minister for Health

To ask the Minister for Health if he would respond to reports from pregnant women that public hospitals and particularly a hospital (details supplied) in County Wexford are still not facilitating the procurement of their cord blood despite him having previously stated that this apparent reluctance among hospitals should be addressed by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply

Cord blood is a recognised source of stem cells. However, there are other sources of stem cells including bone marrow. The benefit of stem cells in the  treatment of a range of medical conditions is being explored by scientists around the world.   In addition, many potential benefits of stem cells are at an early stage of investigation.

When clinically indicated by a consultant overseeing care, collection of cord blood for donation to an identified family member in high risk families (known as “directed” harvesting of cord blood stem cells) is facilitated by HSE hospitals in collaboration with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.  In addition, where an identified clinical need arises, Ireland has access to cord blood stem cells through international stem cell banks and registries and this is also arranged by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. 

“Undirected” harvesting of cord blood may also take place to provide an individual with a personal store of stem cells in case the need arises for these in the future.  “Undirected” harvesting of cord blood is not provided publicly in Ireland at present.    The HSE does not prohibit “undirected” harvesting of cord blood under contract with private companies.  It is open to hospitals wishing to accommodate staff who are directly employed by third party commercial companies to undertake the procurement of cord blood at hospitals operated or funded by the HSE, provided they ensure that a service level agreement is in place between the third party commercial entity and the hospital concerned. 

However, staff employed at hospitals operated or funded by the HSE cannot undertake the collection of cord blood on behalf of third party commercial entities, as this activity would not be covered under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme. A number of hospitals have advised their clinical staff about the indemnity issues arising in this regard.

Hospitals and their maternity service teams face significant challenges in ensuring that a safe and high quality maternity care system is provided to mothers and their babies within available resources.  The HSE will continue to ensure that evidence-based, safe, effective and high quality care is provided to patients and their families.  To this end the HSE and my Department will keep the emergence of the clinical benefits of cord blood banking under review.