Ethnicity, age and incidence rates for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Birmingham, UK: 1990-2004

All acceptance rates were equivalent to the highest previously described in the UK. This may be due to local factors including social deprivation, availability of care and physicians attitudes. The increase in patient numbers was due to rising ethnic minority populations and increasing acceptance rates, especially in the elderly.The take-on rate is likely to rise disproportionately for I as the population ages over the next 10 years. This indicates that the future need for RRT in UK inner city areas, especially those with a large elderly ethnic population, will be greater than previously estimated.