We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Urgent CAR T-cell treatment

Summary

Deputy Gould sought immediate CAR T-cell therapy for Aisling Thornhill, a seriously ill mother. The Taoiseach said the HSE had begun an urgent clinical review and expressed hope for a positive outcome.

A lady called Aisling Thornhill from Farranree in my constituency - a mother of two children, a seven-year-old and a two-year-old, with her partner Graham - is dying and the only thing that will save her is CAR T-cell therapy. She has gone through all the therapies that she and her consultant can give her to this point. If she does not get the CAR T-cell treatment immediately, she will not see Christmas. This is a young mother with two young children. I have often come in here and argued with the Taoiseach and the Government parties. I am not doing that today. I sent the information to the Taoiseach's office, and so have her family and friends. I am pleading today. No mother's life should be at risk because of money. I am asking the Taoiseach to work with the Minister for Health and with me and the family to give Aisling a chance so that she can spend time with her family and children at Christmas and that she will have a future.

Comment on this

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and for the manner in which he raised it. Aisling's cousins have been in touch and have emailed me. I have spoken to the CEO of the HSE. It seems again to have been a kind of historic clinical issue about a certain age threshold for the application of CAR T-cell therapy or Kymriah, which is a specific type. In any event, there is an urgent clinical review under way today and I would be hopeful there will be a positive outcome insofar as that could be applied to Aisling's case. Obviously, there is a clinical review under way as we speak, and I will keep the Deputy informed on developments in respect of it.

Comment on this

Go raibh maith agat.

Comment on this