Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 625: To ask the Minister for Health his policy in respect of the issue of cord blood stem cell collection; if this is facilitated in hospitals here for the personal use of persons to assist them in terms of treatment in later years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18986/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Cord blood is a source of stem cells, which have proven therapeutic benefit for a number of conditions, principally the treatment of blood conditions. Stem cells may also be obtained from bone marrow. It is important to note that many potential benefits of stem cells are at very early investigative stages and will require substantiation through clinical trials.

Ireland does not currently have a public cord blood bank. At present, when clinically indicated by a consultant overseeing care, collection of cord blood for donation to an identified family member in high risk families 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.

Collection of cord blood for private use in low risk families is not provided publicly in Ireland. While recognising that science in this area is evolving, the HSE sought and considered expert professional clinical opinion as well as legal advice in relation to this matter. As a result, it has determined that staff at hospitals operated or funded by the HSE should not undertake the procurement of cord blood for commercial entities. The HSE must ensure that evidence-based, safe, effective and high quality care is provided to patients and their families. In addition, the contracting of staff employed at hospitals operated or funded by the HSE, to undertake the collection of cord blood on behalf of commercial companies, was outside the cover provided under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme.

Any hospital wishing to accommodate staff directly employed by third party commercial entities to undertake the procurement of cord blood at hospitals operated or funded by the HSE must therefore ensure that all appropriate arrangements are in place within the context of a robust clinical governance framework to control risks associated with the service. A contract, or service level agreement, should be in place between the third party commercial entity and the hospital concerned. Policies, procedures and guidelines are required to govern how the service is provided. Hospitals and their maternity service teams face significant challenges in ensuring a robust clinical governance framework to support a safe and high quality maternity care system. My Department will keep the emergence of clinical benefits of cord blood banking under constant review. I am satisfied that the HSE's primary objective is to ensure that there is a safe and high quality maternity service and that it is correct in requiring that appropriate governance arrangements are in place where an individual wishes to collect cord blood in cases where there is no identified clinical need.