HC Deb 10 December 1985 vol 88 cc748-9
4. Mr. Patrick Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients have been treated for end stage renal failure; and how this compares with the situation in 1978–79.

Mr. Whitney

The latest available figures show that there were 11,270 renal patients receiving treatment in the United Kingdom at 31 December 1984. This compares with 6,167 on the corresponding date in 1979, an increase of 83 per cent.

Mr. Thompson

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that this encouraging news is a further sign of increased efficiency in the Health Service and contradicts utterly the continual whingeing that we hear on this subject from the Opposition?

Mr. Whitney

I am happy to agree with my hon. Friend.

Mr. Carter-Jones

I congratulate the Minister on the increase in the number of patients receiving treatment. Does he consider 50 per million new patients per year for end stage renal failure as a distinct possibility by, say, July next year? Will he consider putting the names of people who carry kidney donor cards on a computer to which they can contract in or out, as transplantation seems to be the best method of resolving end stage renal failure?

Mr. Whitney

We are constantly improving our achievement in terms of take-up. The take-on rate has increased by 50 per cent. since 1979. We have a long way to go, but we are making progress. We are ready to consider every possible way of promoting the transplant campaign.

Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

Can my hon. Friend given us any idea of the length of the waiting list for kidney transplants? What thought has he given to changing the present system whereby, although a deceased person carried a kidney donor card, his or her wishes are not carried out unless the next-of-kin gives permission? If such people's wishes were carried out, many more kidneys would be available and there would be many more transplants.

Mr. Whitney

We do not have central figures for the transplant waiting list. That is a matter of clinical judgment in individual cases. We shall continue to consider every possible way in which to improve the system and to reinforce the transplant service.