Hywel Dda NHS Trust has welcomed plans for a temporary renal dialysis unit to help speed up access to kidney dialysis services for Pembrokeshire patients. Following approval from Health and Social Care Minister Edwina Hart for interim kidney dialysis facilities at Withybush General Hospital, Trust chief executive Martin Turner said: "This is fantastic news and the culmination of years of hard work by dedicated staff in the Pembrokeshire area to secure improved facilities for patients who currently have to travel long distances for their treatment. "This will provide a faster, improved service for patients until a permanent unit can be built. Plans are currently being drawn up for 21 permanent renal dialysis stations and, once approved, these could be open by the end of 2011. "This will have a huge impact for local patients as it will reduce travel times and create a better environment with fit for purpose healthcare facilities. I would like to congratulate everyone who has worked so hard to make this possible." The new temporary renal dialysis unit is expected to open by the end of the year. Said director of operations for acute and community services in Pembrokeshire, Mags Barnaby: "It is good news for patients from Pembrokeshire that a temporary renal dialysis unit will be available by the end of the year, and that there is WAG support for the provision of a permanent renal unit in Pembrokeshire, subject to the detailed business case. Both the temporary and permanent renal dialysis services will mean renal patients will have local access to dialysis and not have to travel to Carmarthen or Swansea for treatment three to four times every week." Edwina Hart added: "I am committed to improving access to renal services across Wales. Currently, patients have to travel to Carmarthen and Swansea several times a week for dialysis which can be very draining. "The new interim facilities, which should be in place by the end of the year, will improve the care for patients and reduce the need to travel which will help improve their health and quality of life. "I expect to receive a detailed business case from the Hywel Dda NHS Trust by the end of July on a permanent renal unit, for my consideration. "The permanent unit will take some three years before it is completed and therefore I approved the interim solution so that patients can benefit from improved services much sooner. "The permanent unit, which is expected to be in place by early 2011, will have a planned capacity for 21 dialysis stations, to cope with any future increased demand."
