Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust are seeking the views of patients in planning the design of the new renal dialysis unit in Pembrokeshire. Planning is well underway to provide the new renal dialysis service at Withybush Hospital as part of a £39m improvement plan for acute and community services in Pembrokeshire which includes the new MRI scanner service, £8.75m A&E department, two new theatres, improved rehabilitation services, new paediatric and chemotherapy day units and more single en-suite rooms. Said director of operations for Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust, Mags Barnaby: "This development is a key part of the overall service improvement plan and is about providing more local services for the people of Pembrokeshire. We would be interested to hear the views of patients to help inform the design of the new facilities." A local renal dialysis unit will mean that long journeys to Carmarthen or Swansea several times a week will be at an end for patients using this service. Public health predictions estimate that there will be a seven per cent increase in people requiring renal dialysis in the coming years and so this local service will enable more people to safely receive treatment closer to home. The unit will be purpose-designed to accommodate up to 20 dialysis stations. In the first year of operation, it is expected that 14 stations will be available, with additional stations commissioned in subsequent years to meet the predicted growth in demand. The unit will be designed with this ability to expand. A business case is currently being prepared for submission to Welsh Assembly Government in December. This will include an option to set up a temporary building to provide renal services whilst the permanent construction is underway. Once approved, it is anticipated that the new local renal services will be operational by April 2009. Said Mags Barnaby: "This is an opportunity for local patients with experience of renal dialysis to have their input into the design of this exciting new local facility." If you are interested in attending a group to discuss the design of the new renal dialysis unit, please contact Anna Tee, patient experience facilitator, Trust HQ, Withybush Hospital, Fishguard Road, Pembrokeshire.
