§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which undergraduate teaching hospitals do not have a programme for the treatment of chronic renal failure; and whether there are plans to ensure that dialysis treatment is available in all teaching hospitals.
§ Mr. John PattenUndergraduates at all teaching hospitals have access to dialysis units either in the teaching hospital itself or at an associated one.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to draw attention to the increased funding available for new initiatives in treatment of end stage renal failure.
§ Mr. John PattenWe have written to regional health authorities notifying them of their share of the additional funds.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what steps he is taking to promote higher treatment levels for end stage renal failure by publicity directed at the medical community;
(2) if he will take steps to disseminate to the medical community information on the success of new techniques such as the use of cyclosporin A post-transplantetic and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in the management of end-stage renal failure.
§ Mr. John PattenWe do not seek to influence the clinical decision by doctors about how their patients should be treated. The techniques mentioned by the hon. Member, and the success they have achieved, have been fully reported in the medical press as have other developments in the treatment of end-stage renal failure. This is the established method of disseminating knowledge among the medical profession and we are satisfied that it is the right one.