§ Dr. Vaughanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the numbers of kidneys available for transplantation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephDespite a welcome increase this year in the rate of kidney transplantation there is a continuing need for kidneys to enable more people suffering from chronic renal failure to lead a fuller and less restricted life than is possible with renal dialysis—though this essential service will go on developing.
As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 22nd February, we concluded after careful study that the provision of an adequate supply of kidneys for transplantation is fundamentally a question of motivation and education.
It is therefore proposed to enlist the co-operation and good will of the public and doctors to improve the supply of kidneys on a voluntary basis after the donor's death. A card on which the bearer
78W
1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 January … … — 110.3 113.0 117.6 121.1 126.1 134.7 147.0 163.9 February … … — 109.9 112.8 117.5 121.8 128.2 136.3 147.6 165.1 March … … — 110.4 113.1 117.5 122.1 129.4 137.6 149.4 166.0 April … … — 111.6 115.2 119.6 123.5 132.1 140.1 153.7 164.6 May … … — 111.9 118.0 120.1 123.6 131.6 141.0 156.3 166.3 June … … — 112.5 118.4 121.8 124.1 133.3 141.6 158.5 169.2 July … … — 112.0 116.2 118.4 123.8 132.0 142.1 158.5 169.2 August … … — 112.1 116.1 117.3 123.2 130.5 139.5 158.0 172.3 September … … — 111.7 115.1 116.7 122.6 131.3 140.6 157.6 172.4 October … … 108.0 111.4 115.4 117.0 123.4 131.8 141.4 158.0 — November … … 109.4 112.2 116.6 118.2 123.9 132.0 142.4 160.1 — December … … 109.9 113.3 117.0 120.1 125.4 133.4 144.1 162.8 — (January,1962=100.) can declare his willingness for his kidneys to be transplanted after his death is being distributed for display in doctors' waiting rooms and hospital waiting areas. He carries it with him at all times, and is asked to make his wishes known to his relatives. My chief medical officer is writing to general practitioners and to chairmen of hospital group medical committees about the scheme, which has the support of the profession's representatives. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales are introducing similar schemes. Copies of the donor card have been placed in the Library.—[Vol. 831, c. 251.]