Warwickshire MP sees firsthand how dialysis patients receive their life-saving treatment in Leamington

A Warwickshire MP has seen firsthand how dialysis patients receive their life-saving treatment in Leamington.

Chris White, MP for Warwick and Leamington, visited the Whitnash Renal Unit and was taken around the seven dialysis stations by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust’s chairman Philip Townshend, matron Kay Wilkinson, consultants Daniel Ford and FT Lam and Group Manager Lisa Harrigan.

The unit was opened in 2008 on the site of the Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital in Heathcote Lane, Heathcote, Warwickshire. It was a joint venture between the Renal Network, UHCW NHS Trust and NHS Warwickshire.

The unit houses seven dialysis stations, each of which can treat two patients a day and is part of a network of satellite units which includes those at the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby, George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton and Stratford Hospital in Stratford.

As well as seeing the unit, Mr White also heard firsthand from patients and received details of the Trust plans to try and increase the amount of people receiving dialysis in their homes.

Mr Townshend said: “It was an honour to show Mr White around the unit and let him see and hear firsthand the hard work that saves lives.

“I hope it has given him a real insight into how dedicated the staff here are in trying to do the best for their patients.”

Mr White said: “Patients I spoke to commented on how nice the staff were and how convenient it is for them to receive dialysis here.

“The staff obviously care very deeply about trying to provide the best service for their patients and it was great to hear about their plans to try and increase the amount of people who are able to receive dialysis in their own homes.”

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Photo caption (L-R): Matron Kay Wilkinson, Unit Manager Raz Bibi, Chris White MP, consultant Daniel Ford.

Thanks to South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust for supplying the photograph.