Dialysis In Birmingham, England.

[HSM]

Hey, does anyone on the forum attend dialysis at a unit in Birmingham? If so, what do you think of the unit? What do you think of Fresenius? (They don't have a great reputation from my personal experiences and what others have said). Or just comment if you attend dialysis in England, I'd like to know about your experiences and opinions.

I currently go to Sparkhill Dialysis Unit, I used to attend Kings Norton Dialysis Unit. I personally prefer the older designed units like Kings Norton. I think dialysis units like Woodgate Valley have a rubbish design. Too many silly side rooms in my opinion.

Thanks

Hardev

[cassandra]

Hi Hardev, I go to Southport DC from Fresesnius. Its only been open for a year+. I also went to older clinics for years in Liverpool. I prefer this new one, looks like some-one starts paying attention to cleanlyness etc. The rooms are completely from glass, and the patients can always see the nurses-station, so if the alarm doesn't work, you know where to scream to.

Cas

[HSM]

Hey Cas, I liked the old design better because we had 16 patients in the main area of the unit, which wasn't very big, but we all spoke to each other and had a great community/ family feel. The only patients that weren't in the main area were patients in isolation. The new unit has glass too, but I feel people are isolated and don't really speak to one another. There isn't a community feel at this fishtank of a unit. Lol.

Fresenius just enjoy cutbacks too much, it was in the news that they're planning to get rid of all Health Care Assistants in 3 of the units in Birmingham. How long have you been on dialysis for?

[cassandra]

1.5 yrs before my dad's kidney (lasted 13 yrs) and since '98, so thats wow 15,5 yrs, I feel sick now.