Dialysis unit arrives in Welshpool

Montgomeryshire’s long wait for a kidney dialysis facility is over after Welshpool Hospital took a weekend delivery of its new temporary unit.

 

The news comes as a relief to the dozens of kidney patients who currently travel to Shrewsbury several times a week for dialysis. Unfortunately it has come too late for well known local campaigner Jim Jarvis who passed away over Christmas.

 

While the unit’s delivery has been widely welcomed, Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies, who has been an ardent campaigner for many years, has urged fellow campaigners to continue the fight for a permanent facility to be in place by 2012.

 

He said: “At long last, it seems definite that Montgomeryshire patients needing kidney dialysis will be treated locally. It’s a dream come true for them. Many people have been campaigning for this day for several years, and will be delighted that their efforts have been rewarded.

 

“Now that the ‘demountable’ temporary building has arrived on site, we hope it will be in operation as soon as possible. Having to spend several hours up to three times every week dialysing puts a huge strain on sufferers and their families, without them having to travel great distances as well.

 

“We hope to see the first patient accepted into the new unit within a couple of months.  And it’s important that local campaigners keep the pressure on for a permanent unit to be built and in operation by 2012. Today, Montgomeryshire can be grateful to the Assembly Health Minister for her commitment to expanding dialysis provision in Wales.”

 

The temporary unit is expected to be fully operational by early March.