Caravan for dialysis on holiday

Caravan for dialysis on holiday

8 August 2008 11:54 UK

A caravan equipped with kidney dialysis machinery is being taken to Wales for Derbyshire patients to use on holiday.

The unit will be in a caravan park in Caernarfon, available for use by people who need dialysis when away from home.

Senior sister Carol Rhodes from Derby City Hospital said it meant patients from Derbyshire could enjoy more freedom, with the location of the unit.

The caravan machinery is self-operated but Ms Rhodes hopes to send staff next summer season to help more patients.

Future plans

"It can be difficult for our patients to get away on holiday," said Ms Rhodes.

"They have to book months and months in advance and sometimes they can't get to a hospital near where they are staying so we came up with this idea."

At first the £50,000 unit will be available for patients from Derbyshire but Derby Hospitals NHS Trust hopes to rent it out to other hospitals in the future.

The caravan, which will contain two dialysis machines, will be taken to the site on Monday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/7549150.stm