§ 46. Mr. Ioan L. Evansasked the Minister of Health what action is being taken to support the research into the refinement of large and expensive hospital kidney-treatment machines into small, compact and cheap home units.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI am giving financial support to research aimed at assessing the conditions in which artificial kidney treatment can be provided safely in a patient's home. My officers are keeping in close touch with this research.
§ Mr. EvansI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Will he give all encouragement to doctors in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, in particular those working with a local firm to produce a small compact home unit, because this would assist those cases and relieve pressure for demand for beds?
§ Mr. RobinsonYes, I certainly will, but I should point out that it is not right to assume that a small compact edition of expensive equipment would necessarily be cheaper. The reverse frequently applies.