§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to establish new renal units in 2003; how many new renal units have been established since 1997; how many renal units providing dialysis there are; and how many adults(a) received and (b) required dialysis in 2002. [103485]
§ Mr. Lammy[holding answer 20 March 2003]In England, we are supporting an expansion of renal dialysis capacity, including the development of new satellite renal units, to address the increasing prevalence of established renal failure and to improve patient access to local services.
The latest information on renal services is from the 1998 renal survey. It shows there were 52 main renal units and 73 satellite units in England, dialysing a total of 13,405 patients. A further survey has been commissioned and the results of this will be available next year. Every patient with established renal failure who will benefit from kidney dialysis should receive treatment.