New renal unit in South Cumbria

Steve Hewitt is North-West Patient Lead on Home Strategy and he recently explained to club members about a new centre in Ulverston for people being treated for kidney disease, due to open in July.

The new centre, on the former site of Sandside Lodge School in Sandside Road, will provide haemodialysis treatment and outpatient clinic facilities. 

Haemodialysis is a treatment to remove waste products and extra fluid from the blood, and is given to patients whose kidneys have stopped working properly. Patients from the Furness region currently have to travel to Kendal several times a week for treatment unless it is possible for them to dialyse at home.

The new arrangements will allow 94% of patients across Lancashire and South Cumbria to access haemodialysis within the national target of 30 minutes travel time from home. The current figure in South Cumbria is 65%.

This project will bring treatment much closer to home for a significant number of patients, reducing traveling time and improving patient experience.