HC Deb 21 February 1983 vol 37 cc354-6W
Mr. Les Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent decisions on continuous ambulatory renal dialysis have been taken by the Central Birmingham health authority; and what effect this is expected to have on patients able to be treated.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

I understand that at its last meeting the Central Birmingham health authority decided to review the possibility of increasing the number of patients on the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) programme at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham. Until the review is completed the number of patients on the CAPD programme is unlikely to increase significantly.

Mr. Les Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how facilities are provided in the most important population centres in the west midlands for renal dialysis and transplantation; and how this relates to the standards and requirements laid down by his Department.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Facilities for patients with end-stage renal failure in the west midlands are located in the following renal centres.

health authorities to judge in relation to other claims on the resources available to them. In our recent circular announcing the resource allocations to regional health authorities for 1983–84 we have asked them to ensure that proper provision is made for those services which (like renal dialysis) provide for population wider than that of the district in which they are located.

Mr. Les Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the allocations of funds by his Department and within the West Midlands regional health authority for patients with end-stage renal failure in the region, showing what provision for increases has been made since 1979; and how this compares with other regions' allocations.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

No specific allocations are made to regional health authorities for these services, but in announcing resource allocations to regional health authorities for 1983–84 we have asked them to ensure that proper provision is made for those services which (like services for patients with end-stage renal failure) provide for a population wider than that of the district in which they are located.

The West Midlands RHA has acknowledged the shortfall in provision of facilities for renal failure in the west midlands and has accorded a high priority to the development of these services especially since the 1977–78 financial year when the service began to receive top-sliced regional funds to assist expansion. Since the creation of the revenue consequences of clinical development (RCCD) reserve in 1977–78, RHA has funded on a recurring basis an increase in the dialysis pool in excess of 150 places at an additional full-year cost of approximately £2.1 million at 1982–83 pay and price levels. In addition, a full-year amount in excess of £200,000 at 1982–83 pay and price level has been injected into the renal transplant programme since 1977–78.

The following table gives details of allocations made in respect of individual renal units:

Renal Unit Total RCCD Moneys allocated to date at 1982–83 levels Expansion Achieved (Patient Numbers)
£000
North Staffs Royal Infirmary
Dialysis 427 + 42
Transplantation* 26
Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry
Dialysis 255 + 32
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Dialysis 270 + 28
Transplantation* 187
Wordsley Hospital, Dudley
Dialysis 209 + 15
East Birmingham Hospital
Adult Dialysis 409 + 15
Paediatric Dialysis 409 + 14
Lichfield Victoria
Minimal Care Dialysis 80 + 6
TOTAL 1,863 + 152
*Balance to full year cost of developments 293
Full year cost £2,156

Mr. Les Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham is unable to accept patients with severe kidney complaints over the age of 40 years.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

I understand that decisions to accept patients with severe kidney complaints at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham, are taken in the light of the individual patient's clinical condition and that there is no specific age barrier.