‘Dialysis centre will improve facilities for patients and staff’

THE second in a number of new improved local centres for dialysis patients has been launched.

Cabinet Secretary Vaughan Gething has officially opened the new facility on Cleppa Park in Newport.

It will be followed by another new centre in Pontypool during the next few months.

The new centres will mean improved facilities for patients, providing improved care closer to home and a better nurse to patient ratio. The new Newport Dialysis Unit replaces the unit previously based at St Woolos Hospital.

Around 500 people are currently using the service provided by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Mark Jones, directorate manager for nephrology and transplant at the health board, said the service had previously been provided in areas that were not ideal for patients. He said: “These new facilities have been designed with patients and our other partners and are a big improvement on what we’ve been able to provide in the past.

“As well as improving the environment for patients this work also means we can provide care to them closer to home.

“This approach is also in line with Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, our 10-year strategy, which aims to provide care closer to home wherever possible.”

Dr Kieron Donovan, consultant nephrologist at Cardiff and Vale, said the new centre was a boost for patients and staff.

He said: “The new unit offers more patients better access to modern facilities.

“The standout feature is the space and the accommodation. We have more nurses per patient. The transformation is amazing.”

The centre is run and staffed by company BBraun on behalf of the health board.