HC Deb 17 March 1989 vol 149 cc385-6W
Mr. McLoughlin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he can report on the introduction of the Hoffenberg system of audit of brainstem deaths; whether there has been any increase in the number of transplanted organs since previous years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

The national audit of deaths in intensive care commenced on 1 January 1989. We shall shortly be assessing its operation; it is too early to draw general conclusions from the study.

Mr. McLoughlin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are currently on the waiting list for kidney and other transplants.

Mr. Freeman

According to information provided by the United Kingdom transplant service the number of National Health Service patients waiting for organ transplants in the United Kingdom on 12 March 1989 was:

Organ Number
Kidney 3,556
Heart or Heart/Lung 442
Liver 47