New kidney dialysis unit opened in Leicester

A new dialysis unit to treat people with kidney disease has opened in Leicester.

The facility at Genesis Park, in South Wigston, has replaced the unit at Leicester General Hospital.

Leicester South Dialysis Unit has 35 dialysis stations and capacity to increase that to 49 stations as demand rises.

A spokesperson for University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said it will allow staff to treat more people in better facilities.

The unit, which first opened its doors on 26 August, also has consultation rooms, an isolation suite made up of nine rooms with ensuite facilities, and a home dialysis training suite.

Jorge Jesus-Silva, head of service for nephrology, said: “Patients will find it more comfortable, efficient, and safe, and we are thankful for the support we have had to build it."

The NHS says dialysis removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly.

It filters out unwanted substances by diverting blood to a machine to be cleaned.

The hospital trust said people receiving treatment can be in the unit for up to four hours, three days a week.

In the early 1970s, there were no facilities in Leicestershire to treat people with kidney disease and patients had to travel as far as Sheffield or Cambridge.

The renal service now treats approximately 170 patients who receive dialysis.

Suzi Glover, deputy head of nursing for dialysis, said: “The unit is large enough to accommodate our current number of patients requiring dialysis as well as any increase in need for many years to come.

"In addition, there are new facilities to train patients, family members, or their carers to carry out their dialysis treatments in the comfort of their own home”.

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