Telford renal dialysis unit celebrates first year
Renal dialysis services marked its first anniversary at its purpose-built location in Telford with the unveiling of a tree of remembrance.
The state-of-the-art facility in Hollinswood House, Stafford Park, Telford, provides care for lower risk dialysis patients, with acute services remaining at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
It is on same site as the Community Diagnostic Centre, which is run by The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH). Renal dialysis services were previously delivered on a former ward at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
To mark the anniversary, all patients on the unit were presented with a commemorative gift and the tree was unveiled – anyone was able to pay their respects to patients who had passed away over the year.
Alisha Morgan, Unit Manager, said: “I am immensely proud of the staff since we moved here. Patient satisfaction is fantastic and they love being here. It’s more spacious, the environment is much cleaner and parking a lot better – all round it is amazing.”
Heather Reece, Renal Unit Matron, said: “The building is beautiful – it is spacious and airy, It is lovely to walk into here. Patients and staff love it. The staff worked really hard to move here, they are so enthusiastic and care about the patients and the place. It’s just a pleasure to be here.”
Lynne Morris, Centre Manager – Respiratory and Renal, said: “I am so proud of the nurse-led satellite unit which has been open for 12 months. The care that is delivered here is first class, the building and facilities are also first class and have been designed around the needs of our renal patients.
“We have been able to increase the number of stations from 18-26 and the facilities are much improved for patients and also for staff.
“It has been lovely to be involved in the celebrations which have included the unveiling of a tree in commemoration of some of our patients who are sadly no longer with us and to mark us being open for 12 months.”
Patients, staff and members of the public helped shape the services at the renal unit, which is more than double the size of the previous unit. The off-site location also creates more clinical space for both patients and staff, as well as being more accessible.
The new unit allows the Trust to meet not only the current level of dialysis demand but also future demand.
The CDC provides non-urgent diagnostic tests and blood tests for patients across the whole of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and is the first in the county.
Pic: Members of the renal unit with patient Peter Downes, his wife and John Watts with members of the renal unit
