A new dialysis centre, which will provide life-sustaining care to patients, opened its doors to patients yesterday, Wednesday 30 March 2016.

Redditch Kidney Treatment Centre, run by Diaverum, will provide dialysis treatment for patients of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) in a bespoke facility.

The centre will initially open with 16 dialysis stations, with an additional four isolation rooms, to cater for around 50 patients from the north of Worcestershire who require dialysis, with the capacity to treat up to 100 in the future.

Patients will also be able to take advantage of the latest dialysis equipment, individual TV units and free WiFi access. Free parking is also available directly outside the building for patients.

The purpose-built centre also boasts a large waiting area and reception as well as a treatment room, consultation rooms and staff facilities.

Dr Clara Day, Lead Consultant for Haemodialysis at UHB said: “We are looking forward to opening this new satellite unit as it will mean people in the Redditch and Bromsgrove area can be treated nearer to where they live.

“The facilities at Redditch Kidney Treatment Centre are of the highest quality  – a great deal of consideration has been given to factors such as heating and lighting, as well as the quality of the furnishings such as chairs – which we know has a significant impact on the patient’s experience.”

Angela Richards, who has been on dialysis since August and was one the first patients to dialyse at the unit, said: “It’s wonderful to be able to be at a unit so close to home.

“Previously it was about a 45 mile round trip to get to my dialysis sessions so this is going to save me a lot of time and money in the long run; it will make a big difference to me.

“The new unit is lovely. We have Internet access and our own TV, and there is a really nice atmosphere – time has just gone so quickly and now I’m off home.”

Tracy Coates, who has moved to Redditch unit after dialysing at both Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) and in Kidderminster said she was delighted at the news a new facility would be opening in Redditch: “I was so excited when I heard there would be a new dialysis unit in Redditch as I live close by; I kept asking the nurses when it would open and when I could go.

“It’s fantastic; it’s a really lovely unit and everyone seems calm and relaxed – you could say I’m as happy as a pig in the proverbial!”

The new facility will also allow UHB to run outpatient clinics for a range of clinical specialties from the same site to cut travelling time for north Worcestershire patients who currently have to travel to QEHB in south Birmingham for appointments.

The specialties that will offer services will be agreed in partnership with Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS England.

Dr Jonathan Wells, Chair and Clinical Lead of the CCG said of the unit: “This is great news and will further enhance local health services for local patients. We fully support the move to bring haemodialysis nearer to people’s homes and we will be working closely with UHB to develop plans for more locally based services in the future.”

The dialysis centre is located in Walker’s Road, North Moon’s Moat, Redditch.