Patients and families get an update on dialysis unit
Almost 100 patients and their families attended an information evening in Clayton Whites Hotel to hear about the county’s new kidney dialysis unit which is due to open in Sinnottstown Lane at Drinagh on the outskirts of Wexford town in the New Year.
Patients listened to a presentation by Ms. Alice Medjaou, Deputy General Manager of University Hospital Waterford which will have clinical governance over the long-awaited Wellstone Clinic being developed by B.Braun. Ms. Medjaou said the satellite haemodialysis unit will lead to improvements in patient-centred care resulting from the provision of services closer to patient’ homes. County Wexford patients currently have to travel up to three times a week to Waterford or Dublin to receive dialysis treatment and the routine can be exhausting.
Stephen Byrne, Operations Manager with B.Braun gave a progress report on the project and said the final commissioning of equipment and staff training are on schedule to be completed in early 2018 with the first treatments being offered soon afterwards. Architect Liam Mc Loughlin spoke about how the contemporary design using best international standards will improve the patient experience. Consultant nephrologist Dr Frank Kelly discussed clinical governance and support arrangements for the Wexford centre. Irish Kidney Association Chief Executive Mark Murphy who advocated the need for a haemodialysis unit in Wexford, said he looked forward to the development of quality dialysis care in the centre. Debbie McDonald and Aileen Roussell outlined how the B.Braun model places the needs of the patient centre stage.