HC Deb 22 February 1972 vol 831 cc1088-9
16. Mr. Booth

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will increase the grant paid to patients treating themselves with kidney machines in their homes to a level equivalent to the average cost of the electricity used by the machines.

Mr. Alison

Hospital authorities have been advised that it is their responsibility to pay for the electricity used by the artificial kidney machine. If the hon. Member will let me have details of any difficulties I shall be glad to look into them.

Mr. Booth

Is the Minister aware that the grant being paid in the North West in general and, to my knowledge, in my constituency is very much below the cost of operating these machines? In addition to the cost of the current for the machines, many of these patients have to bear the cost of additional heating in the rooms where the machines are installed. I very much welcome his undertaking to look into the problem.

Mr. Alison

It is the responsibility of the regional hospital board to keep up with price increases charged by the electricity authority. Regional boards, however, are not responsible for the cost of heating rooms where the machinery is installed.

Mr. Jeffrey Archer

When does my hon. Friend hope that it will be possible for all people who need a kidney machine to have easy access to one?

Mr. Alison

If it is a question of adaptation of facilities and premises and not a strict clinical recommendation by the doctor concerned, powers already exist to adapt homes.

Mr. Marks

Are the hospital authorities told to inform patients of their rights in this respect and in respect of travel expenses and other such matters or do they always wait for patients to ask?

Mr. Alison

Patients are told about this when the setting up of the dialysis unit in the home is arranged—which has to be done through the hospital.