To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many kidney patients requiring dialysis are now being treated on average per million of the population; and if he will publish the figures for each of the regional authorities;(2) how many patients in total are receiving kidney dialysis; and what is the rate for new cases of renal failure to be accepted for this treatment per million of the population;(3) how many persons are receiving dialysis or are in possession of a functioning kidney transplant.

According to the latest information published by the European Dialysis and Transplant Association, a total of 13,694 patients, representing 242 per million population, were receiving renal replacement therapy in the United Kingdom at 31 December 1986. Of this total, 6,890 (122 patients per million population) were receiving dialysis and 6,804 (120 patients per million population) had a functioning transplant.Within England the number and rate per million population of patients on dialysis at 31 December 1986 is estimated to be as follows:

Regional health authority	Number on dialysis	Rate per million population
Northern	487	157
Yorkshire	418	116
Trent	711	155
East Anglian	220	116
North West Thames	362	103
North East Thames	676	183
South East Thames	536	149
South West Thames	156	52
Wessex	192	69
Oxford	280	117
South Western	397	128
West Midlands	611	118
Mersey	233	97
North Western	504	126

These figures need to be interpreted with caution because patients sometimes cross administrative boundaries to receive treatment: these patient flows can sometimes be substantial, as in the case of South West and South East Thames, which have shared services.Approximately 47 new patients per million population were accepted for renal replacement therapy in the United Kingdom in 1986. I understand that figures for 1987 should be available within the next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) who decides the number of renal cases to be treated by dialysis in each regional health authority; and what guidance or additional finance is provided by his Department to assist in the cost of this treatment;

The planning and allocation of resources to renal services is the responsibility of health authorities. It is a matter for clinical decision whether or not treatment should be provided to any particular patient within the resources available to health authorities. However, in recent years health authorities have given priority to increasing facilities for the treatment of end stage renal failure. Data provided to the European Dialysis and Transplant Association, covering an estimated 84 per cent. of the new patients accepted for renal replacement therapy in 1986, show that approximately 47 per cent. of patients were aged 55 years or over.