HSE to fast-track kidney dialysis treatment plan

THE Health Service Executive has moved to fast-track a plan to double capacity at the kidney dialysis unit at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

Last month the HSE revealed that it could take no more new dialysis patients at its Limerick unit which is working 24/7 most of the week. For the past few months, seven new Mid-West dialysis patients have been travelling for dialysis in Tralee, Galway, Tullamore and Kilkenny.

The Mid-Western Regional hospital said it needs €30 million to expand the dialysis unit to cater for the growing number of patients. The HSE said yesterday a 15-station new dialysis unit will be opened at the Dooradoyle hospital within the next six months.

A HSE spokesman said: “The National Hospitals Office has been working actively with the Mid-Western Regional Hospital to provide the additional capacity needed to enable patients receive their dialysis as near as possible to their homes.”

When new dialysis beds are opened, the hospital will be able to treat 25 patients at an time compared with the present capacity of 11.

As a stop-gap measure, the HSE has put out a tender for the provision of a 16-bed satellite dialysis in Limerick.

The HSE has allocated additional funding for a home dialysis programme for medically suitable patients in the Mid-West.