§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to announce the details of his crash programme for making up the shortfall of nurses and technicians qualified in the speciality of rental units and able to operate the 400 new kidney machines which he has now authorised; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleMy Department is discussing with regional health authorities and representatives from dialysis units how to implement the expansion of dialysis services and how staffing difficulties may be overcome. I shall make a further announcement when we have completed consultations.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the Supplementary Benefits Commission pay for any essential repair or building work that may be necessary at the home of a kidney patient, when the area health authority has already undertaken to pay the basic cost of adapting a room for home dialysis.
§ Mr. MoyleThe Supplementary Benefits Commission has discretionary powers to make a wide range of payments where there are exceptional circumstances but it considers it inappropriate to use them in an individual case when another agency has power to give help for a particular purpose. In the circumstances described I understand the Commission takes the view that an area health authority and local authority have powers to help and are better equipped than the Commission to administer such assistance.