The Minister explained the situation in correspondence to the local authority, in response to a Motion, tabled by SDLP Councillor Malachy Quinn back in September, which called for all-island access to the cutting-edge therapy, for those patients needing it.

The Motion had enjoyed unanimous support at the September 25 meeting of the local authority.

Part of it was worded as follows: “That this Council recognises the urgent need for patients in Northern Ireland requiring CAR T-cell therapy to have timely and compassionate access to treatment closer to home.

“Acknowledges that the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland has an existing Memorandum of Understanding on All-Island Cancer Services, first signed after the Good Friday Agreement in 1999 and renewed in 2021, which already provides a framework for cross-Border co-operation in oncology.

“Further recognises that CAR T treatment will not be available in Northern Ireland until 2030/31 at the earliest, and that access to St. James’s Hospital — where CAR T services are already established — would allow patients to receive life-saving treatment within driving distance of home, supported by their families.

“This Council therefore calls on the Northern Ireland Department of Health to immediately begin negotiations with their counterparts in the Republic, to secure access to CAR T therapy at St. James’s Hospital for eligible Northern Ireland patients; the Irish government to support and facilitate this cooperation as a matter of urgency.”

In correspondence to Mid Ulster District Council, however, the Health Minister dashed any hope of CAR T-cell treatment being offered to additional patients from Northern Ireland at St. James’s Hospital in Dublin.

He stated: “Thank you for your correspondence regarding access to CAR T-cell therapy at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, for eligible Northern Ireland patients.

“I very much recognise the benefits of working jointly with the Republic of Ireland on areas of health and social care, where there are mutual benefits to be gained.

“As you are aware, an All-Island Cancer Consortium was established in 1999 as an output from the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

“The consortium is a tripartite partnership involving Ireland, Northern Ireland and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the USA that aims to enhance cancer research and cancer care on the island of Ireland.

“Work to develop an adult CAR T-cell therapy service in Northern Ireland is currently linked to the planned development of the Haematology Ward at the Belfast City Hospital site.

“The business case for this planned development is currently being finalised for approval by Department officials.

“I am committed to working towards this planned development proceeding, and envisage that a CAR T-cell therapy service could be operational in Northern Ireland by 2030-31.

“My officials have spoken with Republic of Ireland officials, and they have confirmed that their position in relation to all components of CAR T therapy remains that they cannot support additional patients from Northern Ireland accessing this service on a cross-Border basis.

“The current position where patients travel to Great Britain for CAR T-cell therapy remains the only viable option for adults from Northern Ireland requiring this treatment at this time.

“Notwithstanding this, the benefits of providing specialist care closer to home for patients and their families are undisputed, and I would like to assure you that whilst this is the current position, we will continue to scope and assess the feasibility of cross-Border service models in conjunction with Republic of Ireland colleagues.”