Showroom could become kidney centre

Bath’s treatment centre for kidney conditions could move to a former car showroom in Bathford.

Fresenius Medical Care Renal Services Limited has secured a £1.77 million-a-year NHS contract and hopes to operate out of the vacant Minerva premises in Box Road.

Dialysis is currently offered at the renal unit at the Royal United Hospital run by the North Bristol NHS Trust but the facility will close on August 31 to make way for a new cancer unit.

If the German firm’s plans are approved, construction will be fast-tracked so the new Bath Kidney Care Centre can open on September 1.

The “fully refurbished, modern and aesthetically pleasing” building will offer new equipment, 16 treatment stations and closer, free parking for patients, who will receive treatment for up to four hours per session.

Initially the centre will treat up to 32 patients a day but the centre could add an evening shift to increase that to 48. People with chronic renal failure may require dialysis as an outpatient up to three times per week.

The development would employ around 24 full-time staff.

Bath and North East Somerset Council will decide the fate of the application.