CHASKALSON P [25] By using the available dialysis machines in accordance with the guidelines more patients are benefited than would be the case if they were used to keep alive persons with chronic renal failure, and the outcome of the treatment is also likely to be more beneficial because it is directed to curing patients, and not simply to maintaining them in a chronically ill condition. It has not been suggested that these guidelines are unreasonable or that they were not applied fairly and rationally when the decision was taken by the Addington Hospital that the appellant did not qualify for dialysis. [26] Ideally the dialysis machines available at the Addington Hospital should handle no more than about 60 patients. At present they are being used to treat 85 patients and the hospital can barely accommodate those who meet its guidelines. The nurse-patient ratio in the renal unit is 1:4.5 instead of the recommended ratio of 1:2.5. According to Dr Naicker, if the hospital were required to treat all persons who, like the appellant, are suffering from chronic renal failure, it would be unable to do so. She says that if the appellant were to be admitted to the programme it would result in other patients who comply with the guidelines being put at risk. Only about 30% of the patients suffering from chronic renal failure meet the guidelines for admission to the dialysis programme. If everyone in the same condition as the appellant were to be admitted the carefully tailored programme would collapse and no one would benefit from that. 14