New stem cell services investment announced

The government has confirmed that a new four million pound investment will be made into the delivery of stem cell services in the UK.

Collaborating with NHS Blood and Transplant and charity organisation Anthony Nolan, the project will seek to vastly improve the speed with which stem cell donors and potential recipients are brought together.

Measures will include the alignment of NHS Blood and Transplant and Anthony Nolan's bone marrow registries, greater investment in collection services and the designation of Anthony Nolan as the single contact point for NHS transplant units seeking donors.

It is hoped that this will cut average search times down to two weeks, which will help to save one life each month on average.

Public health minister Anne Milton said: "We know that the quicker we match potential donors to recipients, the more lives can be saved."

Last month, the government also confirmed that more money will be invested in dementia research over the coming years, a commitment that will encompass new stem cell research programmes.