§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many kidney patients requiring dialysis are now being treated on average per million of the population; and if he will publish the figures for each of the regional authorities;
(2) how many patients in total are receiving kidney dialysis; and what is the rate for new cases of renal failure to be accepted for this treatment per million of the population;
(3) how many persons are receiving dialysis or are in possession of a functioning kidney transplant.
§ Mrs. CurrieAccording to the latest information published by the European Dialysis and Transplant Association, a total of 13,694 patients, representing 242 per million population, were receiving renal replacement therapy in the United Kingdom at 31 December 1986. Of this total, 6,890 (122 patients per million population) were receiving dialysis and 6,804 (120 patients per million population) had a functioning transplant.
Within England the number and rate per million population of patients on dialysis at 31 December 1986 is estimated to be as follows:
Regional health authority Number on dialysis Rate per million population Northern 487 157 Yorkshire 418 116 Trent 711 155 East Anglian 220 116 North West Thames 362 103 North East Thames 676 183 South East Thames 536 149 South West Thames 156 52 Wessex 192 69 Oxford 280 117 South Western 397 128 West Midlands 611 118 Mersey 233 97 North Western 504 126 These figures need to be interpreted with caution because patients sometimes cross administrative boundaries to receive treatment: these patient flows can sometimes be substantial, as in the case of South West and South East Thames, which have shared services.
Approximately 47 new patients per million population were accepted for renal replacement therapy in the United Kingdom in 1986. I understand that figures for 1987 should be available within the next month.
§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) who decides the number of renal cases to be treated by dialysis in each regional health authority; and what guidance or additional finance is provided by his Department to assist in the cost of this treatment;
130W(2) in what circumstances regional health authorities are empowered to deny renal treatment to sufferers on grounds of age; and what criteria are issued by his Department giving guidance on this matter.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe planning and allocation of resources to renal services is the responsibility of health authorities. It is a matter for clinical decision whether or not treatment should be provided to any particular patient within the resources available to health authorities. However, in recent years health authorities have given priority to increasing facilities for the treatment of end stage renal failure. Data provided to the European Dialysis and Transplant Association, covering an estimated 84 per cent. of the new patients accepted for renal replacement therapy in 1986, show that approximately 47 per cent. of patients were aged 55 years or over.