§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any assessment has been made of the number of renal patients who would benefit from erthropoetin; and how many are currently receiving it.
§ Mr. NeedhamNo detailed assessment has been made but medical opinion suggests that up to half of the 160 patients receiving dialysis treatment in Northern Ireland would benefit from erthropoetin; 48 are currently receiving it.
§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what kidney dialysis facilities exist in the Province; and whether there are any plans for opening a unit in(a) Coleraine and (b) Londonderry.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe main renal unit at the Belfast City hospital provides dialysis services for the whole of the334W Province and is supported by a satellite dialysis unit at Tyrone county hospital, Omagh. There are no plans at present for a unit in either Coleraine or Londonderry.
§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many consultant nephrologists are employed in the Northern Ireland health service; and what is the ratio of nephrologists to kidney patients.
§ Mr. NeedhamThere are four consultant nephrologists in Northern Ireland. Information on their work load is not collected and the ratio cannot be calculated.