Politics Home Article | Now is the time for action to improve post-transplant care

With the NHS in a critical period of change,¹ there is an opportunity to look at where system reform can support necessary improvements in care. We believe one such area in need of review is the post-transplant care pathway.

For many people, a stem cell transplant can be lifesaving.² Yet for up to 30–40 per cent of transplant recipients, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) presents a new set of challenges.² GvHD is caused by an immune response following a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, where the immune cells from the graft attack the host cells.³ 

The symptoms of GvHD are wide-ranging and affect each individual differently – but its impact can be life-changing.³ It can affect nearly any organ in the body, with symptoms ranging from rashes and skin dryness, painful joints and muscles, nausea and vomiting, and shortness of breath.³ These symptoms can have a significant impact on mobility, independence and quality of life.⁴

GvHD also has an economic impact. In 2022, Sanofi commissioned a survey with the help of Anthony Nolan of 27 participants to understand the physical, psychological, and social/economic impact of chronic GvHD (cGvHD).⁴ More than half of respondents cited a high impact on their ability to work, exercise, enjoy life and plan for the future.⁴

*Please note, symptoms are not exhaustive and patient experiences may differ.

Bringing the community together to map out priorities for change

To better understand the challenges and identify opportunities for meaningful improvement, a group of leading voices from across the transplant clinical and patient community came together for a roundtable discussion – organised and funded by Sanofi – in September 2025.

Among these voices was Steve, who developed severe GvHD following treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia. Over the course of his illness, he was admitted to hospital dozens of times, saw more than 160 clinicians and experienced complications ranging from sepsis to steroid-induced diabetes.

Leukaemia was one thing, but the aftermath of the transplant was a huge thing to deal with. – Steve

The group agreed there was a need to develop a robust set of recommendations for change within the post-transplant care pathway.

Health system reform offers a window of opportunity

The healthcare system offers significant potential to deliver change for people impacted by this condition. Discussions at the roundtable showed that by harnessing emerging technologies, better utilising data and adopting more effective models of care, improved care is within reach.

Further to the publication of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan, the NHS is undergoing considerable reform nationally and locally – including shifting care from hospital into the community and the establishment of a Neighbourhood Health Service.¹

NHS reform provides an opportunity to transform GvHD care – demonstrating the Government’s commitment to supporting the transplant community and ensuring that the needs of the GvHD patient and carer community are not overlooked.

A vision for change

Based on insights gathered from key stakeholders in the transplant community, action is needed on the following priorities to drive change in the GvHD care pathway:

1. Improving access to multidisciplinary team care, to improve patient experiences and outcomes: post-transplant care should be integrated into emerging Neighbourhood Health Services, enabling patients to receive different services closer to home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. Mental health support must also become a core component of consistent, high-quality post-transplant care.
2. Utilising data and research to identify, and reduce, the risk and severity of GvHD: better use of data and investment in research can help to improve donor matching and predict, prevent and personalise GvHD care. This should include reviewing existing registries to enhance data quality and usability.
3. Harnessing technology, to support holistic, patient-centred follow-up care: digital infrastructure should be set up to enable transplant recipients to manage their ongoing care, for example through the NHS App or a dedicated post-transplant tool – including symptom monitoring and rapid access to advice. Patient data should also be fully interoperable across settings so that all healthcare professionals, including GPs, can support a transplant recipient across their care journey.

At its heart, this vision is about coordination and continuity. It is focused on ensuring that people feel they are receiving the best care following a transplant.

Taking these calls forward

GvHD may be a complication of transplant, but the gaps in care witnessed by these stakeholders are not inevitable. We believe, through collaboration between policymakers, clinicians, patient organisations and industry, meaningful change is within reach – and that we have a window of opportunity with current system reform to act on it.

As a parliamentarian, you have an opportunity to champion these calls in Parliament and raise them with the Government – helping to deliver improvements for the GvHD and transplant community.

Stem cell transplantation saves lives. Our shared ambition must now be to ensure that those lives are supported with high-quality, equitable and joined-up care — before, during and after transplant.

A Vision for Change in GvHD care

If you have any questions, please contact Sanofi via Laura Wetherly at [email protected].

MAT-XU-2600469 V1.0                                                                                              February 2026

1. Department of Health and Social Care (2025). 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the-future [Accessed February 2026]
2. Anthony Nolan. 2021. Analysis of hospital activity and costs following allogeneic stem cell transplantation in England. Available at: https://www.anthonynolan.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/analysis-of-hospital-activity-and-costs.pdf [Accessed February 2026]
3. Anthony Nolan. 2021. An essential guide to graft versus host disease (GvHD). Available at: 2630PA Essential Guide to GvHD_Website.pdf [Accessed February 2026]
4. Hart D, et al. 2022. Investigating the Impact of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease on Patient and Carer Health-Related Quality of Life: A Quantitative Study.