asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospitals in Lincolnshire are provided with kidney machines; what is the number of machines that each hospital has; and what plans there are for increasing that number.
There are no kidney machines in hospitals in Lincolnshire and no plans for their provision. Trent regional health authority has designated the provision for treatment of chronic renal failure, including long-term dialysis, as a " Supra-Area Service". North Lincolnshire is within the catchment area of the hospital unit at Sheffield, and South Lincolnshire is covered by the unit at Leicester.Some patients are provided with facilities for dialysis at home with supervision and support from the hospital units.For further information my hon. Friend may like to consult the health authorities concerned.