asked the Minister of Health 1) what are the prospects of an increase in the number of machines available for kidney use in the Northern area;(2) what facilities exist in the Carlisle and Cumberland area for the treatment of chronic nephritis.
In addition to the medical services already available in the area, an intermittent dialysis centre at Rye Hill Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, serves the Region as a whole. This centre is at present being increased from five to ten units and it is hoped to complete this expansion within the next three months. In addition there are three machines in use at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. Further provision for the Region is under active consideration.
Information about the work of consultants outside the National Health Service is not available but the table below gives, for the last five years, the numbers of consultants whole-time and part-time appointments in the hospital service and their whole-time equivalent.