New Addenbrooke's dialysis unit officially opens at Hinchingbrooke

The new Hinchingbrooke Renal Dialysis Centre - a satellite unit of Cambridge University Hospitals - was officially opened on Friday 24 October 2008 by Wendy Clark who recently retired as Senior Clinical Nurse after spending 30 years working in dialysis - her last 11 years were spent working in the renal unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

This state-of-the-art facility gives kidney patients across the Huntingdon area access to treatment without them having to travel to the main Addenbrooke's site in Cambridge.

(L to R): Wendy Clark, recently retired as senior clinical nurse for dialysis at Addenbrooke's, Linda Hemming, dialysis patient, Michael Darrington, dialysis patient, Dr Sanjay Ojha, renal consultant, Dr Mary Archer, Chairman of Addenbrooke's and Susan Bell, senior sister at the Hinchingbrooke unit.

Linda Hemming a dialysis patient who lives in Eaton Ford near St Neots, previously had to drive 150 miles a week for three dialysis sessions at Addenbrooke's. Over six-and-a-half years of treatment, she has clocked up more than 50,000 miles. The drive home could sometimes take up to two hours but with treatment now available locally her journey time is now 15 minutes.

Linda said, "It's a massive improvement and saves me time and money. It's made a huge difference. The new unit is purpose-built and the staff are great - they're all very helpful."

Speaking about the unit Clare Daniels, Senior Clinical Nurse for dialysis, said, "Dialysis saves lives, but each session lasts three to four hours, and that has a big impact on daily routine. If you have to travel long distances for treatment you're spending more time being a patient instead of living your life. The new centre provides a great service closer to home."

This state-of-the-art facility is the third satellite unit opened by Addenbrooke's, joining centres at Kings Lynn and West Suffolk Hospital.