§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to achieve a target of 40 new patients per annum per million of the population in Northern Ireland 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. Chris PattenSpecific targets will be set for developing renal services in discussion with Health and Social Services Boards. These discussions are now in progress and I shall be announcing the targets when they have been agreed. Without prejudice to the outcome of those discussions, the Eastern Health and Social Services Board intends in the near future to expand the regional dialysis services to allow for the treatment of 12 additional patients.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied that all patients in Northern Ireland 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. Chris PattenNo. I fully accept the need for improvement in the level of provision for end-stage renal failure. Following the review of services now taking place,200W specific targets will be set for the further development of such services. The referral by general practitioners and other consultants is, of course, a matter for clinical judgment.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider setting up a limited number of renal units in Northern Ireland to cater for the problems created by difficult kidney patients; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenNo. It would not be feasible to set up special renal units to deal with difficult patients.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider the establishment in Northern Ireland 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. Chris PattenI have already initiated as part of my Department's regional planning responsibilities a comprehensive review of services for kidney patients in Northern Ireland in order to establish the appropriate levels of provision in relation to the various methods of treatment for end-stage renal failure. I am satisfied that a further inquiry would serve no useful purpose. The provision of appropriate treatment to patients within the resources available is a matter for clinical judgment.