HC Deb 23 February 1982 vol 18 c345W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the communication system within the National Health Service whereby notification is given to renal units when organs suitable for transplant become available; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Vaughan

Yes. The evidence is that the supply of donor organs is limited mainly by the reluctance of many doctors to start the procedures necessary for transplantation. These procedures are set out in the code of practice on the removal of cadaveric organs for transplantation, published in 1979. In a letter sent last December to all doctors working in relevant fields, the Department's chief medical officer endorsed the recommendations on the implementation of the code made recently by the conference of medical Royal colleges and their faculties in the United Kingdom. Discussions are continuing with the profession to ensure that all doctors are made aware of the provisions of the code, the need for donor organs and the benefits that transplants bring to patients.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the numbers of kidney transplants for (a) the 12 months preceding, (b) the 12

Inguinal herina Operations Operation on other abdominal hernia
Regional health authority of residence Mean waiting time in weeks Median waiting time in weeks Mean waiting time in weeks Median waiting time in weeks
Northern 16.2 8.7 14.1 10.0
Yorkshire 14.6 8.3 18.7 8.5
Trent 29.4 13.6 22.4 13.2
East Anglian 22.6 13.3 19.2 11.8
North-West Thames 17.2 10.0 18.8 10.0
North-East Thames 14.0 7.4 13.9 8.3
South-East Thames 17.2 8.8 15.4 6.9
South-West Thames 15.4 8.4 10.2 8.0
Wessex 22.5 13.0 17.3 10.5
Oxford 19.1 10.4 14.9 7.1
South-Western 27.4 12.9 30.1 13.1
West Midlands 30.3 15.8 22.3 11.8
Mersey 14.5 7.1 19.8 8.0
North-Western 22.0 12.1 16.6 9.2
England 20.8 10.6 18.1 9.3

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of days lost from work by patients waiting for hernia operations; if he will give an estimate of the total cost as well as an estimate of the individual costs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr.Geoffrey Finsberg

I regret that the information requested is not available.