Wellstone dialysis clinic welcomes first patients

B. Braun Avitum welcomed its first patients at the new Wellstone Wexford dialysis centre in Drinagh last week.

The newly-opened unit of 757 square metres is the first purpose-built Haemodialysis clinic in Ireland, with the capacity to treat up to 60 patients a week in 12 treatment bays, three isolation rooms and a self-area care for up to three patients.

‘The team feel immensely proud to be part of this fantastic project’, said clinic manager Debbie Macdonald. ‘It is the first greenfield non-statutory unit in the country. Everyone involved builders, suppliers, staff - have worked incredibly hard to ensure we welcome our first patients today’, she said as the centre opened its doors last Wednesday.

Ms. Macdonald said the provision of services closer to patients’ homes will have a huge effect on their day-to-day lives.

‘With the reduction in travelling time, patients will have more time with family. They may now be able to drive themselves. It’s a shorter journey so they don’t have to rely on transport, giving them more independence.’

‘The patients are so excited to finally be able to dialyse in their own county’, said the manager.

Managing Director of B. Braun Avitum Ireland Leo Halpenny commented: ‘I think people thought this couldn’t be done in less than 12 months. Where you have the will anything can be achieved. This project was a team effort between the people of Wexford and B. Braun.’

B. Braun also operates the well-established Wellstone Clinic in County Galway. The company is one of the world’s largest developers and manufacturers of renal care technology and consumables and is a leading provider of renal care, operating more than 350 centres in over 30 countries around the world.