§ Mr. Peter Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social services how many patients were on waiting lists as needing kidney transplants in the most recent 12-month period; what were the number of transplants actually performed; whether the shortfall stems from a shortage of suitable donors; and what plans he has to increase the number of donors.
§ Mr. John PattenThe number of people in the United Kingdom awaiting a kidney transplant on 31 October 1983 was 2,443, compared with 2,225 one year earlier. 1,030 transplants were performed in 1982, more than in any previous year. So far the figures for 1983 have been encouraging and suggest that the 1982 total will be surpassed. I understand that most renal transplant units would have the capacity to perform more operations if they had more donor kidneys. The Department is continuing to promote the donor card scheme. We are planning a new publicity campaign for early in 1984 to increase public awareness of the need for organ donation and of the benefits of transplantation.