HC Deb 25 April 1988 vol 132 cc31-2W
Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the approximate cost of kidney dialysis nationally or on a regional basis; how many privately funded dialysis units are in operation; and whether their costs differ from charges made by the National Health Service.

Mrs. Currie

The approximate total cost* of hospital and home haemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in England in 1986 was £76 million (at 1986–87 prices). Information is not held centrally about private sector organisations which provide dialysis for private patients, nor do we have information about the costs of privately funded units. We are aware of one privately-operated unit in England which has a contract to provide dialysis for NHS patients and others in Wales which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. The annual charge for dialysis at this unit is of the same order as the costs of NHS satellite units which provide dialysis for patients already established on treatment in other parts of the country.

* This calculation is based on a detailed study in 1981 revalued to 1986–87 price levels, and, as such, cannot take account of recent changes in treatment, case-mix etc.

Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what instructions he has issued to the West Midlands regional health authority about the numbers of new kidney patients who may receive dialysis treatment; and whether there are any limitations on this treatment being given to kidney patients suffering from diabetes.

Mrs. Currie

There have been no recent instructions issued to regional health authorities about the number of patients with end stage renal failure to be taken onto dialysis. The target set is 40 new kidney patients per million population to be taken on to renal programmes by 1987 has been exceeded by the West Midlands regional health authority. The question of treatment for patients with end stage renal failure who are suffering from diabetes is a matter for clinical judgment.