§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list any research projects he is funding, has funded or intends to fund on (a) Alzheimer's disease, (b) osteomalacia and (c) kidney disorders.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe list of projects funded currently or in the recent past by the Department is as follows
a. Alzheimer's disease:The Department has commissioned in recent years a substantial body of research on the care of the elderly mentally infirm, of the confused and of those suffering from dementia—among which are included, of course, people with Alzheimer's disease. Among these are (i) The Supporters of Confused Elderly People at Home (Enid Levin, National Institute for Social Work (Report 1983) and (ii) Specialist Services for the Elderly. A study of Referrals to Geriatric, Psychiatric and Social Services (David Wilkin et al, University of Manchester) (Report 1984.)b. Osteomalacia:The Social Medicine and Health Services Research Unit, St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School, London (Professor W. Holland): (i) The value of plasma calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase measurements in the diagnosis of histological osteomalacia (1982). (ii) Value of the history in diagnosing osteomalacia among Asians presenting to the Health Service (1983).c. Kidney disorders:1. St. Thomas's Hospital, London (Dr. A. J. Wing and Dr. S. Challah): Study of Referral Patterns of Patients with Chronic Renal Failure for Dialysis and Transplantation in the UK (1983–84).2. The Social Medicine and Health Services Research Unit, St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School, London (Professor W. Holland): (i) Negative selection of patients for dialysis and transplantation in the UK. (1983–84).(ii) Evaluation of the Lithotripter Study (April 1985 to 1988). (3) Guy's Hospital Medical School, London (Professor H. Keen): Primary Prevention of Renal Disease and Postponement of End-Stage Renal Failure in Diabetic Patients (1984–89).We have no immediate plans to fund further research in these fields though consideration is currently being given to research proposals concerned with aspects of kidney disorders.I understand that the Medical Research Council, which receives an annual grant-in-Aid from the Department of Education and Science, is also at present funding research relevant to these conditions.