Write a commentThe Southern Trust's Renal Team based at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry has hosted around 130 patients with kidney disease and their families to show and inform them of the range of support that is available at the hospital.
The Renal Unit at Daisy Hill Hospital treats patients with kidney disease from across the Southern Trust area. The modern unit has 26 haemodialysis machines which are used by 90 patients each week. The team of specialist nurses, medics, pharmacists, podiatrists, social workers and dieticians also support patients who have chosen a home therapy treatment and those attending renal outpatient clinics.
There are currently 25 patients on a home therapy in the Southern area and outpatient numbers have seen a 30% growth in the past two years with 1,743 patients seen at the outpatient clinic last year.
Dr John Harty, Lead Consultant Nephrologist for the Renal Unit says: “Finding out you have kidney disease and that you will need dialysis can be life changing. There is a lot of new information to take in about managing your condition, your diet, medication and other lifestyle factors and it can also be a big adjustment having to fit dialysis into your daily life
“We wanted to bring all of our new patients and their families together to inform them about the wide range of support that is available from clinicians and others going through the same experience.”
A number of clinical staff spoke at the event and a number of patients shared their experiences from attending for haemodialysis, managing a home therapy, through to having a kidney transplant.
Sr Fiona Owens, Renal Home Therapies Nurse Manager added: “When you are faced with an illness it is often very comforting and encouraging to hear how someone else has coped through the same experience. Our Renal patient’s representatives are invaluable in giving our patients that additional extra emotional and practical support and reassuring them that there are others living the same experiences.”
At present, around 150 people in Northern Ireland are on the transplant waiting list and each year around 10 people die waiting for an organ. Organ donation saves and enhances lives. To join the NHS Organ Donor Register and give the gift of life, log on to www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 1300123 123
