13 October 2010
Dozens of patients, carers and staff gathered in Purley last Wednesday (6 October) to watch Richard Ottaway, MP for Croydon South officially open a brand new renal dialysis unit.
The unit, which is on Brighton Road, means that patients with renal (kidney) disease will no longer have to come into hospital to dialyse and can do it closer to their own home. The unit is run in partnership between Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and Fresenius Medical Care Renal Services.
The Purley Dialysis Unit has 24 stations, all of which come with fully adjustable electronic chairs and their own flat screen TV and Freeview box, so patients can watch their favourite programmes - or listen to digital radio - in great comfort. It has the capacity to offer ongoing dialysis for up to 144 patients each week.
Mr Ottaway was given a tour of the unit by Samantha Jones, Chief Executive of the Trust, before officially unveiling a plaque. He also spent time meeting with patients, carers and staff.
Samantha Jones, Trust Chief Executive, said: "Sadly, the number of people with kidney disease is on the increase and more and more people need to dialyse on a regular basis.
"Patients who require dialysis need lengthy sessions three times per week. Purpose-built, state-of-the-art centres like this reduce the amount of time they have to travel for their treatment and make their lives a lot easier.
"The Purley Dialysis Unit is our eighth centre and we have others planned, including one in Epsom. In the last two and a half years, we have also opened units in Sutton and West Byfleet.
Richard Ottaway MP said: "I was delighted to have been invited to formally open the new Purley Dialysis Unit.
"A number of my constituents have already told me how pleased they are with the centre, praising the treatment and care they have received in such a lovely modern setting and - having looked around it myself - I am truly impressed."
Sue Willetts, Director of Clinic Services at Fresenius Medical Care Renal Services said: "We are proud to work with Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and offer NHS patients excellent care and treatment in brand new, specially designed units like Purley.
"Importantly, we involved patients in the design of the new unit to make sure it met their needs. The unit also uses the latest dialysis equipment, which reduces side effects such as sickness and tiredness."
The unit is on the top floor of Capella Court, which is a few minutes from Purley train station, and, due to its 'egg' shape, has windows all the way around, meaning the patient areas are lit by natural light. There is a main dialysis unit, as well as a completely separate isolation unit, for patients who have infections, for instance, flu - helping to prevent it spreading to other patients.
Also present during the tour was dialysis patient Carl Fuller. Carl said: "I've been dialysing at this unit for a few months now, and quite honestly it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. It's just fantastic."
