Patients face variations in kidney care

PATIENTS suffering from kidney failure face major differences in access to treatment in Yorkshire, depending on where they live.

A new campaign says only one in five people needing kidney dialysis in Leeds and Bradford are treated at home, compared with two in five in Doncaster.

In 2008, 22 per cent of 2,100 dialysis patients were treated at home in the region compared with 28 per cent in the East Midlands and only 14 per cent in the North East.

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The "I'd Rather Be At Home" initiative, backed by doctors, charity groups and a leading manufacturer of dialysis equipment to mark tomorrow's World Kidney Day, is calling for at least 30 per cent of patients to be treated at home, claiming it would save the NHS 100m nationwide.

The call comes amid major concerns among health chiefs that renal services in the region are weaker than in other parts of the country.

Services in West Yorkshire are under particular pressure.