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Caravan park opens dialysis unit | Caravan park opens dialysis unit |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A new kidney dialysis unit for people holidaying in north Wales is about to receive its first patient. | A new kidney dialysis unit for people holidaying in north Wales is about to receive its first patient. |
The portable centre has been set up at Dinlle Caravan Park near Caernarfon by Southern Derbyshire Health Authority. | The portable centre has been set up at Dinlle Caravan Park near Caernarfon by Southern Derbyshire Health Authority. |
The park was approached by health officials as many of its patients visited the area on holidays. | |
Dialysis patient Dave Clarke, 51, said he was normally only able to go away for two days but this would "make the world of difference". | |
Assistant park manager John Hanby added: "People can now come away on holiday without the restraints of a lengthy time in hospital." | |
The portable cabin has two dialysis units and has been built by the health authority. | The portable cabin has two dialysis units and has been built by the health authority. |
Its first patient will be received on Wednesday, and it can also be used by patients who are not staying at the park. | Its first patient will be received on Wednesday, and it can also be used by patients who are not staying at the park. |
"It's been put on a hard pitch so it can stay as long as we're open. It's mainly aimed at people who are on holiday," Mr Hanby said. | "It's been put on a hard pitch so it can stay as long as we're open. It's mainly aimed at people who are on holiday," Mr Hanby said. |
Usually patients going on holiday have to book into a local hospital for dialysis, which can often be full Paul Roome, of Southern Derbyshire Health Authority | Usually patients going on holiday have to book into a local hospital for dialysis, which can often be full Paul Roome, of Southern Derbyshire Health Authority |
"Two patients can be treated at the same time, and a Freeview TV has been set up for them in the unit." | "Two patients can be treated at the same time, and a Freeview TV has been set up for them in the unit." |
He said the heath authority approached the site, located at Dinas Dinlle as many of their patients went on holiday to the area. He added they were paying for the pitch - as other caravaners would. | He said the heath authority approached the site, located at Dinas Dinlle as many of their patients went on holiday to the area. He added they were paying for the pitch - as other caravaners would. |
Mr Clarke, 51, and his wife Lindsey from Swadlincote in Derbyshire are holidaying at a neighbouring caravan park overlooking Menai Strait, and he will be able to use the portable unit. | |
A keen caravaner, Mr Clarke, who has been on dialysis for seven years, said he had been lobbying for two years for the centre to be opened. | |
"This will make a world of difference. I have a touring caravan and normally we can only go away for two days before I have to return for dialysis," he said. "This will mean we can go away for much longer." | |
He said there was a private dialysis centre available but this one was free. | |
The caravan park, which is closed between November and February, is owned by Thornley Leisure, which has six parks on the north Wales coast and one in Cheshire. | The caravan park, which is closed between November and February, is owned by Thornley Leisure, which has six parks on the north Wales coast and one in Cheshire. |
The site in Dinas Dinlle has 179 pitches for static caravans and 171 for touring caravans and tents. | The site in Dinas Dinlle has 179 pitches for static caravans and 171 for touring caravans and tents. |
Paul Roome, chief technician at Southern Derbyshire Health Authority, said they had two similar caravans 20 years ago - one of which was in Porthmadog - but they closed because not enough people were using them. | Paul Roome, chief technician at Southern Derbyshire Health Authority, said they had two similar caravans 20 years ago - one of which was in Porthmadog - but they closed because not enough people were using them. |
However he said they believed the new caravan would prove more popular. | However he said they believed the new caravan would prove more popular. |
"We already have three bookings and we are planning to take groups of patients away there next year for a week at a time," he said. | "We already have three bookings and we are planning to take groups of patients away there next year for a week at a time," he said. |
"Usually patients going on holiday have to book into a local hospital for dialysis, which can often be full. So it can be very difficult for them to go away." | "Usually patients going on holiday have to book into a local hospital for dialysis, which can often be full. So it can be very difficult for them to go away." |