Statistical approach to planning an integrated haemodialysis-transplantation programme.

A mathematical model has been constructed to assist in planning the future requirements of a combined haemodialysis and transplantation centre. It has been used to predict the number of patients in the dialysis unit, the general wards, and at home on dialysis, as well as providing further information on transplantation rates and overall costs. The model can be adapted for units with different facilities from our own.It can be primed with data from an individual unit or with pooled data from the whole country. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the methodology of a particular statistical approach.