Transplant patients deserve psychological care as standard
3 min read
For thousands of people in the UK each year, a stem cell transplant represents a second chance at life – a clinical lifeline when diseases like blood cancer or genetic disorders arise.
But despite the lifesaving potential of these therapies, for many patients, survival is only the beginning of a complex, often invisible journey as they manage the psychological impact of their treatment.
Today, UK stem cell charity Anthony Nolan publishes new research which brings this hidden struggle into the spotlight. A report, How we can improve the mental health and wellbeing of cell therapy patients, reveals that nearly half of all stem cell transplant patients experience mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite this, only 17 per cent of transplant centres in the UK have a dedicated psychologist on staff.
Many patients report feeling abandoned the moment they leave hospital – the exact time their emotional needs peak
The report, presented to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Stem Cell Transplantation and Advanced Cellular Therapies on 10 June, sets out how stem cell transplant patients endure prolonged isolation, challenging treatment regimens, and months of uncertainty.
Some face fertility loss, relationship breakdowns, or long-term identity shifts due to physical side effects like graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Others, particularly children and young adults, miss critical developmental milestones. And yet, most are left to navigate the psychological fallout without structured, consistent support.
Many patients report feeling abandoned the moment they leave hospital – the exact time their emotional needs peak. Patients with non-cancer diagnoses – such as sickle cell disorder or thalassaemia – are even more likely to fall through the cracks.
So too are caregivers and donors, whose psychological burdens are rarely acknowledged, let alone treated. One parent recalls the emotional turmoil of trying to support their child through transplant while watching the rest of the family struggle under the strain. Another donor describes the guilt and grief of watching a sibling die despite their stem cell donation.
It is ironic that while society has made tremendous progress in medical treatment, that progress has not been extended to psychological care. Success continues to be measured by survival alone, when it should also be measured by quality of life.
There are signs that the government is taking mental health more seriously. Anthony Nolan welcomed the announcement on 24 May that specialist mental health crisis centres will be opened across England over the next decade to reduce crowding in A&E departments. This is a step in the right direction but must be extended to help stem cell patients too.
Anthony Nolan is calling for every transplant centre in the UK to have at least one embedded clinical psychologist as an integrated member of the transplant team. The charity also recommends expanding peer support programmes, equipping all other members of the transplant team with the skills to identify psychological distress, and providing structured care for families, donors and bereaved relatives.
This isn’t just about compassion. The evidence is clear: unaddressed mental health issues can delay recovery, reduce adherence to medication and lead to poorer long-term outcomes. The psychological health of transplant patients is not an optional extra – it is an essential pillar of recovery.
Politicians and NHS leaders must act now. Funding for clinical psychologists in transplant units should be ringfenced, psychological screening made routine, and long-term follow-up care mandated.
Let us not be content with simply helping people survive. We must help them live and thrive.
Henny Braund is the chief executive of stem cell charity Anthony Nolan
