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'Third World' kidney care claim | 'Third World' kidney care claim |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Kidney patients in part of Wales are suffering "Third World" conditions with renal units at breaking point, a charity has claimed. | |
Kidney Wales Foundation said some were going "hundreds of miles" a week for treatment in "unacceptable" conditions. | Kidney Wales Foundation said some were going "hundreds of miles" a week for treatment in "unacceptable" conditions. |
At one hospital it said dialysis was carried out in an "old broom cupboard", and at another 16 patients were treated in a portable cabin sharing one toilet. | |
Health Minister Edwina Hart said she was considering treatment provision. | Health Minister Edwina Hart said she was considering treatment provision. |
The charity said it was at the West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen, that 16 patients receive dialysis in a cabin, with one radiator and one toilet. | |
Alex Cottrell, 55, who undergoes dialysis lasting almost four hours, three times a week, said facilities were "appalling". | |
FOUNDATION DEMANDS: More dialysis units across WalesBetter transport and facilities for patientsA dedicated transplant unit at the University Hospital of Wales One renal organisation to co-ordinate kidney services in WalesRadical measures to double the number of organ donors by 2011People Like Us campaign, source: Kidney Wales Foundation | FOUNDATION DEMANDS: More dialysis units across WalesBetter transport and facilities for patientsA dedicated transplant unit at the University Hospital of Wales One renal organisation to co-ordinate kidney services in WalesRadical measures to double the number of organ donors by 2011People Like Us campaign, source: Kidney Wales Foundation |
Mrs Cottrell, who lives near Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, is driven to hospital by volunteers along with three other patients. | |
One of is an 80-year-old man who is picked up at 0530 BST, and does not return home until mid-afternoon. | |
She said the treatment was "very painful", as two big needles were inserted so blood could be taken out and cleaned by machine. | |
She said patients were unable to hear the televisions provided, which would be a "distraction" and help patients psychologically. | |
"When I'm on the machine, sometimes I've got to gee up the person next to me to come to the next session," she said. | |
'Old cupboard' | |
"People have low moods, especially if you've got a chest infection, vomiting, or diarrhoea, you've got to do this journey the same." | "People have low moods, especially if you've got a chest infection, vomiting, or diarrhoea, you've got to do this journey the same." |
Ms Cottrell said having nearer facilities would make life easier and having the treatment "more bearable". | Ms Cottrell said having nearer facilities would make life easier and having the treatment "more bearable". |
The foundation, which promotes kidney research and care, also claimed that facilities in Morriston Hospital, Swansea, were so stretched patients were treated in an "old cupboard" attached to the ward. | The foundation, which promotes kidney research and care, also claimed that facilities in Morriston Hospital, Swansea, were so stretched patients were treated in an "old cupboard" attached to the ward. |
John Reever, chair of the Welsh Kidney Patients' Association said the cupboard known as "the dingle" was "claustrophobic and unsafe". | John Reever, chair of the Welsh Kidney Patients' Association said the cupboard known as "the dingle" was "claustrophobic and unsafe". |
But hospital management at Swansea denied they had converted a "broom cupboard" into a makeshift dialysis station. | But hospital management at Swansea denied they had converted a "broom cupboard" into a makeshift dialysis station. |
Subjecting sick patients to treatment in poor facilities and making them wait hours to get home is simply not acceptable in the 21st century Allison John, campaign leader | |
Liz Rix, Swansea NHS Trust director of nursing, said the area had originally been a machinery storeroom and had later been used as an isolation cubicle, before it was converted into a dialysis station just outside the renal ward. | Liz Rix, Swansea NHS Trust director of nursing, said the area had originally been a machinery storeroom and had later been used as an isolation cubicle, before it was converted into a dialysis station just outside the renal ward. |
However, some members of the Ysbyty Gwynedd Kidney Patients Association said the treatment at the three North Wales units at Bangor, Glan Clwyd and Wrexham were "second to none". | |
"It's wrong that all the units have been tarnished with the same brush. The association hasn't received a single complaint about the unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd since it was set up 10 years ago. | |
"Although, because of the geographical nature of the area, some patients are travelling long distances for treatment. | |
"We would like to see small satellite units being set up to alleviate this problem, and we've been campaigning for this for many years." | |
A campaign entitled People Like Us is being launched by the Kidney Wales Foundation, and the Welsh Kidney Patients' Association. | A campaign entitled People Like Us is being launched by the Kidney Wales Foundation, and the Welsh Kidney Patients' Association. |
It is being led by Allison John from Fishguard, who was the first in the UK to have a heart and lungs, liver and kidney transplant. | It is being led by Allison John from Fishguard, who was the first in the UK to have a heart and lungs, liver and kidney transplant. |
She said: "Subjecting sick patients to treatment in poor facilities and making them wait hours to get home is simply not acceptable in the 21st century." | |
A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "The [health] minister has met with The Kidney Wales Foundation and she is considering the provision of dialysis treatment in Wales." | A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "The [health] minister has met with The Kidney Wales Foundation and she is considering the provision of dialysis treatment in Wales." |
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