§ Mrs. Thatcherasked the Minister of Health whether the artificial kidney treatment for use in cases of chronic kidney failure has now been evaluated by his Department in conjunction with the medical profession; and if he will make a statement on the conclusions which have been reached.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonYes; I have been advised that for a proportion of such cases this is an established and effective form of treatment.
§ Mrs. Thatcherasked the Minister of Health what progress is being made in providing centres for treatment for chronic kidney failure by artificial kidney; and whether he is satisfied that the work is proceeding with all possible speed.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonSmall research and treatment centres already exist in Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool and London. A conference of experts convened by my Department has recently reported, recommending the establishment of training and treatment initially at regional centres. My Department is consulting hospital authorities as a matter of urgency on how treatment can be made mote widely available on these lines.
§ Mrs. Thatcherasked the Minister of Health what is the cost per patient of providing artificial kidney treatment for chronic kidney failure in hospital under the National Health Service; and if he will analyse the component factors.
148W
§ Mr. K. RobinsonNational figures are not available. Under present conditions of hospital treatment a typical initial capital cost per patient may be about £2,000 divided equally between accommodation and equipment. Annual maintenance costs per patient may be about £2,000 made up as follows:
£ Accommodation 100 Depreciation of Equipment 200 Drugs, dialysing fluids and consumable equipment 500 Services of Surgical, Medical, Nursing and Technical staff and other staff 1,000 Sundries 200
§ Mrs. Thatcherasked the Minister of Health whether any artificial kidney units have been provided under the National Health Service for use in the home; what is the cost in such cases; and what are the factors which restrict the extension of such treatment.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonTwo units have been ordered for this purpose; they will cost about £3,500 each. Facilities for such treatment cannot be made more generally available until its limitations and possibilities have been evaluated. The units already ordered will be used in a pilot trial for this purpose.
§ Mrs. Thatcherasked the Minister of Health what are the principal factors which limit the rate at which artificial kidney treatment for chronic kidney failure can be extended to more patients at hospital centres.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe principal factors initially will be the rate at which medical and other staff can be trained and accommodation provided.
The cost of such an extension will have to be considered alongside other priorities in the National Health Service.
§ Mrs. Thatcherasked the Minister of Health what arrangements he has made in this country for the development and supply of equipment for artificial kidney units.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI am supporting financially evaluations of new dialysing systems both for use in hospitals and in the home. My officers are also closely in touch with British firms developing equipment of this specialised nature.