§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons at the most recent date were medically diagnosed to require treatment for kidney disease on kidney machines: and, of these, how many were unable to receive such treatment, due to the shortage of these machines.
§ Mr. Harry EwingInformation is not collected centrally about the number of people medically diagnosed to require intermittent haemodialysis. Information obtained from renal dialysis centres suggests that facilities are just adequate except for the West of Scotland where there is some indication that more patients might be able to benefit if additional facilities were to be provided or if more kidneys could be found to increase the number of renal transplant operations.
§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons died in each of the last five years from kidney disease; and how these numbers compare with those of other European countries.
§ Mr. Harry EwingDeaths registered in Scotland from kidney disease in each of the years 1971 to 1975 respectively numbered 705, 709, 651, 708 and 652. These were equivalent to rates of 13.5, 13.6, 12.5, 13.5 and 12.5 per 100,000 population.
465WComparative figures readily available for European countries are for nephritis, nephrosis and infections of the kidney only; the most recent death rates are given in the table below. Corresponding death rates in Scotland from nephritis, nephrosis and infections of the kidney in each of the years 1971–1975 respectively were 11.7, 11.2, 10.5, 11.5 and 10.4 per 100,000 population.
TABLE DEATH RATES FROM NEPHRITIS, NEPHROSIS AND INFECTIONS OF KIDNEY (ICD LIST Al05–107) Per 100,000 population Country Year Rate Austria … 1974 16.7 Belgium … 1972 6.4 Bulgaria … 1974 15.8 Czechoslovakia … 1973 20.2 Denmark … 1973 11.9 Finland … 1973 12.8 France … 1973 3.4 West Germany … 1973 10.3 Greece … 1974 12.6 Hungary … 1974 12.8 Ireland … 1972 11.8 Italy … 1973 6.8 Luxembourg … 1974 5.8 Netherlands … 1974 5.8 Norway … 1973 10.1 Poland … 1973 9.2 Portugal … 1974 13.7 Romania … 1973 9.4 Spain … 1973 11.8 Sweden … 1974 12.2 Switzerland … 1973 10.8 England and Wales … 1973 9.4 Northern Ireland … 1973 9.2 Yugoslavia … 1973 10.2 Source: World Health Statistics Annual, 1973–1976.
§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the longest and average waiting periods for the provision of a kidney machine prescribed by a medical authority for a person suffering from a kidney disease.
§ Mr. Harry EwingIn chronic kidney disease the concept of a waiting period is not relevant because treatment on a kidney machine must be commenced when kidney function deteriorates to a point at which life cannot continue. In some cases, the diagnosis of failing kidney function is made at an earlier stage466W and there is an average delay of six weeks, with a maximum of three months, before treatment on a kidney machine becomes necessary.