§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients per million population enter end-stage renal failure on average each year; if he is satisfied that the necessary medical provision is made for them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe number of patients developing potentially treatable end-stage renal failure in any year has been estimated at about 45 per million population. This is equivalent to an annual total of about 2,500 new patients for the United Kingdom. Although the number of new patients being accepted for treatment has increased steadily over the past 10 years, to 26.7 per million population in 1981, it still does not meet the estimated need. Health authorities are continuing to develop renal services within the resources available to them. The Government's main strategy for improving services for kidney patients is to increase the number of kidneys available for transplantation. This is the most satisfactory form of treatment for chronic renal failure and, incidentally, the cheapest. A record number of kidneys are expected to be transplanted this year and I am urgently considering further initiatives to maintain the increase.