§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people with renal failure are now awaiting either dialysis or transplant in the area of each regional health authority; what steps he is taking to reduce the number of people who die from renal failure before receiving treatment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe numbers of patients reported to the United Kingdom transplant service as awaiting a kidney transplant on 15 October 1984 are as follows:
Region Number on waiting list Northern 241 Yorkshire 91 Trent 170 East Anglian 56 North West Thames 141 North East Thames 333 South East Thames 368 South West Thames Wessex 99 Oxford 89 South Western 135 West Midlands 160 Mersey 90 North Western 151 In February my right hon. Friend launched a new campaign to publicise the benefits of kidney transplantation and to promote the organ donor card scheme. During the first six months of the campaign 40 per cent. more transplants were performed than in the equivalent period last year. The 1983 annual total of 1,160, which was itself a record, was passed earlier this month.
The numbers of patients awaiting treatment by dialysis are not recorded centrally.
According to data supplied by the European Dialysis and Transplant Association, the number of new renal patients accepted for treatment in the United Kingdom in 1983 was 1,846, a 50 per cent. increase on 1979. The Government have informed health authorities of the need for services for the treatment of end stage renal failure to be developed, and we are now discussing with them the setting of specific targets to ensure that the expansion of renal service provision continues.