§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the present ratio of kidney dialysis machines to renal patients; and what is the ratio of renal units to patients.
§ Mr. FreemanInformation on the number of dialysis machines is not collected centrally.
According to data for 1988 reported to the European Dialysis and Transplant Association, the ratio of patients to renal units in the United Kingdom is 224 to one if those with a functioning transplant are included. The ratio is 108 to one if patients are defined to include only those receiving dialysis for example, either from dialysis machines or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.