3 March 2008
The number of patients using the Trust's renal satellite dialysis centres has topped 400 for the first time. The centres, based at Crawley, Croydon, Farnham, West Byfleet and Kingston, are used by patients from across south west London, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire and save them from having to travel to hospital unnecessarily.
The centres include all of the latest technology you would expect in hospital and are staffed by expert nurses and doctors. Patients will use the centres at least three times a week and, in most cases, it takes them less than 30 minutes to get there.
People who need dialysis have suffered kidney failure. Dialysis takes over the job of their kidneys, removing waste products and toxins from the blood. Without it, patients would die. Dialysis lasts around four hours.
Clinical Director of the Trust's renal services directorate, Dr James Marsh, said: "Dialysis can be very tiring for patients. Offering them the opportunity to have treatment closer to home makes a real difference to their overall well-being and quality of life. It also gives them extra time to spend on doing the things they enjoy."
Dr Marsh added: "Dialysis is a lengthy procedure and needed regularly to sustain good health. We want it to be as quick and easy as possible for patients."
Currently, more than two thirds of the Trust's patients needing dialysis are treated in a satellite unit. Over 100 of these are 80 years old, and a further eight patients are over the age of 90.
