NNUH renal dialysis services set to expand

To meet the growing demand for renal dialysis, the Jack Pryor Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is due to relocate to a larger, purpose built premises in Bowthorpe later in 2018. NNUH is working with a national specialist provider of renal dialysis services, to set up the expanded service.

The change will give space for expansion in future and NNUH will also be able to offer dialysis for patients on holiday in Norfolk which has not previously been available because of a lack of capacity.

The renal dialysis unit at Cromer & District Hospital will remain on its current site with plans to update and expand the Cromer unit with four extra dialysis stations. The staff in both units will continue to be employed by NNUH.

Chris Cobb, Director of Operations (Medicine), said: “With a growing older population we have outgrown the current Jack Pryor Unit and need to increase our capacity to treat patients. Across the country, most renal dialysis services are now delivered in a community setting. In fact, we are one of the few Trusts still running this service in a hospital setting.

“We are creating a new super-centre for renal dialysis in Norwich which will be one of the largest centres in the UK. Patients will no longer need to attend hospital every week, but instead can attend a purpose built specialist facility with state-of-the-art facilities and plenty of parking.”

“Patients will continue to receive care from the same group of clinicians, nurses and healthcare assistants as they do currently.”

NNUH will still provide renal dialysis within the hospital on Langley Ward for emergency cases, those too unwell to attend the community based service and for chronic dialysis patients when they come into hospital for other treatments.

Jack Pryor patients have been briefed on the changes through one-to-one sessions where patients, carers and families have been able to find out more and give their views.