HC Deb 30 January 1985 vol 72 c203W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to achieve a target of 40 new patients per annum per million of the population in Scotland who are suffering from end-stage renal failure; if he can give any indication of a speed-up in the process; if he will indicate what his target figure is for 1990; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John MacKay

Statistics of patients being treated for end-stage renal failure in 1984 are not yet available, but I understand that these are likely to show that about 40 new patients per million of the population are now being treated annually in Scotland. There are now specific targets for the treatment of patients with this condition, but I expect that the number of new patients being treated per million of the population will continue to increase.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the establishment in Scotland of an independent inquiry into the treatment of end-stage renal failure; if he will indicate what policies his Department recommends in circumstances where there is insufficient provision for patients in need; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John MacKay

I do not consider that an independent inquiry would serve any useful purpose since we already have sufficient information about the treatment of end-stage renal failure. It is primarily for health boards to decide what provision to make for patients in their particular areas, and to allocate their resources accordingly.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that all patients in Scotland needing treatment for end-stage renal failure receive such treatment; if he is satisfied with the referral rate by general practitioners and other consultants to renal consultants; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John MacKay

The extent to which patients are referred for treatment by their general practitioners depends on the medical assessment of their condition and I am unable to comment on such clinical judgments. Subject to that, all patients who are referred for treatment and who would benefit from this are receiving such treatment.