§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many kidney transplants have taken place in the last year for which he has figures; what estimates are available for the number of people who would benefit from such transplants; what additional steps he is taking to increase the number of kidney donors; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DeakinsIn the year ending 30th June 1977, 788 kidney transplants took place in the United Kingdom, of which 117 were from live donors. On 30th October 1977 there were 1,178 patients on the waiting list for transplantation.
My Department continues to promote the kidney donor card scheme and is constantly seeking new means of making cards readily available and of reminding the public and the medical profession of the urgent need for more donor kidneys. Donor cards are now available in all social security offices and a further distribution to chemists' shops will be made shortly.