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Dialysis Care Outcomes — [Sir George Howarth in the Chair]
19 May 2022
Lead MP
Jim Shannon
Strangford
DUP
Responding Minister
Gillian Keegan
Tags
NHSEnergy
Word Count: 9248
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Jim Shannon raised concerns about dialysis care outcomes — [sir george howarth in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP asks the Government to support people on home dialysis by ensuring a straightforward system for reimbursement of additional utility costs as per UK Kidney Association guidance. He also requests that NHS tariff payments for home dialysis be sufficient to cover all associated costs, including reimbursements reflecting current price increases. Additionally, he calls for capped tariffs from energy companies and the Chancellor's support in this regard.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The MP is concerned about the rising costs of dialysis treatment for those receiving it at home, particularly in light of increased energy prices. He highlighted a case where the cost for combined usage went from £115 per month to £350, representing a 220% increase. The MP also pointed out that there is no consistent reimbursement across the country for these costs and that children receiving dialysis at home may not be covered by local providers' discretion. He noted disparities in home dialysis rates between deprived and less deprived areas, with lower percentages of patients from more deprived areas accessing home dialysis.
Feryal Clark
Lab
Enfield North
Clark highlighted the rising number of people with kidney disease and the disparities in access to at-home dialysis treatment, noting that those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are less likely to receive such treatments. She raised concerns about patients being left to fend for themselves financially despite NHS guidelines on reimbursement, which she said was inconsistent across the country.
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
East Lothian
He highlighted the difficulties faced by individuals and families in accessing dialysis treatment, especially for children in Scotland who may have to travel long distances for treatment. He also discussed issues related to home dialysis, including mental health impacts due to financial stress and the difficulty of affording power costs for dialysis machines.
Margaret Ferrier
SNP
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Margaret Ferrier highlighted the severity of acute kidney injuries, stating that about 30% of related deaths could be prevented with better care or treatment. She also stressed the importance of mental health support for patients undergoing dialysis, arguing that good mental wellbeing significantly impacts recovery and treatment outcomes.
Government Response
Gillian Keegan
Government Response
The Government remain committed to improving access to and quality of dialysis treatment, including at-home options. The renal services transformation programme aims to increase home dialysis provision to 20% per renal centre. Home dialysis offers benefits in patient experience and outcomes while reducing transportation costs for hospitals. For those undergoing dialysis at home, reimbursement is available for additional direct energy costs through the NHS tariff system, with rates expected to match utility cost increases. The Government will continue supporting research into kidney conditions via the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which has spent £113.2 million on kidney research from 2016-17 to 2020-21.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.