§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the facilities available for the treatment of renal failure patients in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI am not completely satisfied with the facilities currently available for the treatment of renal failure since the provision of new facilities has not always kept up with the pace of medical advance. But there has been a steady increase of about 12 per cent. anually since 1976 in the number of new patients accepted for treatment, and in 1982 over 1,000 kidney transplants were performed in the United Kingdom, more than in any previous year. Regional health authorities were recently asked to ensure that the right priority was given to dialysis services.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which renal units in the United Kingdom impose an age limit on the acceptance of patients for treatment; and what percentage of all United Kingdom renal units these represent.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe decision whether to accept a patient for treatment is one for the clinical judgment of the doctor concerned. So far as I am aware, no renal unit applies a fixed age limit.