Minister opens new Renal Dialysis Unit in Llandrindod Memorial Hospital

In operation since March, the facility was officially opened by the Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths at a ceremony on Wednesday August 1^st.

There are around 10,000 people with renal disease in Wales and many more at risk. It affects the daily lives of the patients, their family and friends.

Before the unit opened, renal patients in Powys were required to travel to other sites, mainly in England, travelling up to two hours each way, three times per week. The facility in Llandrindod means patients will now be able to receive their dialysis treatment locally.

Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths said:

"Ensuring people have easier access to renal dialysis, closer to their homes, is why we have invested in the service in Wales.

"Together for Health, our five-year plan for the NHS in Wales, emphasises our key policy of delivering safe, high-quality services as locally as possible close to people’s homes to reduce the burden of travel.

"This centre is a great example of the shift in focus in treatment traditionally provided in a secondary care setting, but which can now be provided more locally.

"At a time of such perceived uncertainty, the Welsh Government is committed to improving services in Wales to make them safe and sustainable for now and into the future.

"We will continue to modernise facilities and increase capacity for dialysis in a number of suitable sites across Wales as part of a programme of development in renal dialysis care."

The new unit provides four stations on the first floor of the Memorial Hospital in Llandrindod Wells. Based on a conventional shift pattern of twice daily, six days a week, it can treat up to 16 patients.