§ 2.38 p.m.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government: —
- (1) how many kidney machines are in current use in hospitals in Great Britain;
- (2) how many persons are on waiting lists for treatment by these machines;
- (3) how many technicians are available to operate these machines; and
- (4) what plans Her Majesty's Government have in mind to increase the supply both of machines and trained personnel to operate them.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (BARONESS SEROTA)My Lords, in January of this year there were 278 equipped hospital places for intermittent haemodialysis, treating 509 patients. In addition there were 378 installation in patients' homes. The numbers awaiting this form of treatment are not known centrally. According to the latest available figures, the medical staff in post was 147, and the non-medical 445. Further development of kidney failure services, both trans-plants and dialysis, within the National Health Service is a matter in the first instance for the hospital authorities but is one in which my right honourable friend takes very close interest.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, while sincerely thanking the noble Baroness for that reply, may I ask her whether she 993 is aware that these figures will give limited satisfaction? In view of the large amount of regional development which is taking place involving moving people out of London, is there not a strong case for making more kidney machines and technicians available in the regional hospitals? Is the noble Baroness aware that if this were done it would assist schoolchildren to attend school more often, and those in employment who have to use these machines would be able to work more easily and more satisfactorily?
§ BARONESS SEROTANoble Lords will be aware how recent a development are these new forms of the treatment of chronic renal failure, and I think that the only way I can answer the noble Lord's supplementary question about the national spread of these facilities is by giving the House the figures of units which now exist. In 1965 the only dialysis facilities that existed were in a handful of small research units; on January 1 of this year there were 31 major units in England, six in Scotland, and one in Wales. Two units have commenced work since then; a further five are being extended and three more are planned. I can assure the noble Lord that as a result of these developments the service is spreading throughout the country.
§ BARONESS BROOKE OF YSTRADFELLTEMy Lords, could the noble Baroness tell us how many of these kidney machines are not being used through lack of trained manpower or womanpower to look after them?
§ BARONESS SEROTAMy Lords, I can-not give the noble Baroness exact figures, but of course the machines are not operated by special operators. The technicians are required for the maintenance of the machines. The units themselves are operated by nursing staff under the direction of the medical staff in our hospitals.
§ BARONESS BROOKE OF YSTRADFELLTEMy Lords, will the noble Baroness be kind enough to tell us how much lack of trained technical skill there is for the maintenance of these machines?
§ BARONESS SEROTANot for the country as a whole, my Lords, but if the 994 noble Baroness is anxious to have the detailed figures I will get them for her.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the figures she has given of the rapid increase in the number of these machines and their more extensive use will be received with very great gratification in all parts of the country?
§ BARONESS SEROTAMy Lords, I am grateful for the comment that my noble friend has made, and indeed for this opportunity of thanking all those who have been concerned with developing these services in such a short period, knowing how much they do for those who are suffering from this particular kind of chronic disease.