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Kidney patients forced into long journeys and 1am dialysis

BBC George CookBBC
George Cook will now be treated overnight three times a week after building issues at his usual hospital

Dialysis patients in Moray are facing overnight treatment and journeys of up to 70 miles (112km) due to hospital building work.

Appointments have been moved to Peterhead, Inverurie and Banff as there is no extra space available at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin while work is ongoing, according to NHS Grampian.

The health board said that, in the short term, seven patients would have to be accommodated after 20:00.

One kidney patient, George Cook, 69, told BBC Scotland News he was "dreading the punishing schedule" after hearing he will be treated from 20:00 to 01:00 in Banff, rather than his regular daytime session in Elgin.

Map showing locations of Elgin ,Banff, Peterhead and Inverurie
Appointments have been moved from Elgin to Banff, Peterhead and Inverurie

Mr Cook will be picked up from his home in Aberlour at about 18:00.

At about 33 miles (53km), the distance from his home to Banff is more than twice the distance to Elgin.

The retired critical care nurse said he did not expect to be home until about 02:30 after his three weekly sessions.

He was told this week that the changes will begin next Thursday.

He said: ”I feel I'm entitled to an unbroken night's sleep.

"Patients aren't supposed to be moved around after certain times in the evening.

"It's something I'm feeling I would have difficulty coping with."

Dr Gray's Hospital
Building work is being carried out at Dr Gray's Hospital

Mr Cook said patients were not consulted on the moves, or asked if overnight care was appropriate.

"We are having to like it or lump it", he said.

"They (NHS Grampian) need to look at their humanity, the way they are transferring patients half way across the north of Scotland in the middle of the night, three times a week."

The relocation of appointments will affect 24 people.

The 70-mile (112km) journey to Peterhead from Elgin takes about one hour and 45 minutes, while the 50-mile (80km) trip to Inverurie is about one hour and 15 minutes.

'Not uncommon'

It is understood the unavailability of specialist drainage within Dr Gray's meant no alternative space at the site was suitable.

NHS Grampian’s Chris Middleton said: "Dialysis treatment can only be provided at specialist units, due to the need for water treatment systems and plumbed dialysis machines.

"To support Dr Gray's patients, capacity will be increased during usual operating hours at all alternative units and in the short term seven patients will have to be accommodated after 8pm.

"While it is not uncommon for renal units to offer later appointments for those who are busy during the working day, it is unfortunate we cannot also offer further daytime appointments during this time."

He added: "We will continue to be as flexible as we can to help meet patient need and we are also working hard to make it possible to deliver the service from people's homes in the near future."