§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the facilities for treating chronic renal failure—haemodialysis and renal transplantation—have improved since the report in 1980 by the Office of Health Economics that between 1,000 and 2,000 people were dying whose lives could have been prolonged: and whether persons aged over 50 years are now likely to be able to start dialysis.
§ Dr. VaughanFacilities for treating chronic renal failure are continuing to expand, although they are still insufficient to meet all estimated needs. The report by the Office of Health Economics was based on the 1978 figure of 19.2 new patients accepted for treatment per million population. The comparable figure in 1980 was 24.6 new patients per million population.
On the second part of the question, I refer the hon. Member to my replies to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 26 October 1981,—[Vol. 10, c. 266–67]. The number of patients starting treatment over the age of 45 grew substantially over the period 1976–78; an age breakdown for later years is not yet available.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he proposes to take to encourage the use of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis as a replacement for kidney dialysis treatment.
§ Dr. VaughanI refer my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) on 29 October 1981—[Vol. 10, c.449.]