BOLTON's new £1.2 million renal unit has been officially opened by two of the town's MPs.
After performing the opening ceremony at the Royal Bolton Hospital, Dr Brian Iddon and David Crausby met some of the first patients to use the new dialysis service
For many kidney patients, it will mean they will no longer have to travel to Hope Hospital at Salford for treatment. The unit came about thanks to a partnership between two hospital trusts, other NHS organisations and kidney patients themselves who have been widely consulted.
The building and support services have been supplied by Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust and the clinical service and the majority of staff are managed by Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust.
The unit will have 12 patient stations, providing life-saving dialysis for a total of 48 people a week. A further six stations will open next year taking the number of patients cared for to 72. A dedicated renal transport service has been commissioned for these new patients.
The design of the new unit is innovative and creative, according to hospital bosses, and was developed after full consultation with kidney patients' associations.
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