Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment the NHS has made of the potential merits of the use of stem cell technology to treat damaged Achilles tendons.

The Government continues to support research through a range of funding agencies into the therapeutic use of stem cells. Clinical trials are currently underway in the United Kingdom to test the potential of a number of therapies for damaged tendons including the use of stem cells. Before making this type of treatment available through the National Health Service it will be necessary to demonstrate that the treatment is both safe and effective.