McNulty: Families Failed by Delays to Life-Saving Cancer Treatment

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has demanded urgent action to deliver CAR-T cancer treatment in Belfast, warning that patients and families are being “failed by bureaucracy and delay”.

He was speaking following an SDLP Opposition Day motion calling on the Health Minister to explore cross-border services until treatment is made available on the North.

MLAs backed the motion.

Mr McNulty said:

“Right now, people in the North fighting for their lives are forced to travel to England or Scotland for treatment that could and should be delivered in Belfast. That means patients spending their sickest days far from home, and families carrying the unbearable burden of travel and separation. It’s cruel, it’s costly, and it must change.

“Clinicians at Belfast City Hospital say they are ready to deliver CAR-T therapy. The facilities and expertise are already in place – the only barrier is political will. The SDLP has advocated for cross-border services to be put in place immediately, but what we need to see is treatment available for people in the North.

“Keeping families close should be the priority. Instead, the Department of Health is dragging its feet, talking about 2030 or 2031 before these services can be delivered in Belfast. That is far too late. Patients don’t have the luxury of waiting years. They need access now.”

ENDS