Dialysis unit

The renal unit at the Western Isles Hospital has marked its 10th anniversary.

Prior to its opening in 2007, patients from Lewis and Harris who required dialysis had to fly to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to receive haemo-dialysis three days a week(Monday, Wednesday and Friday).

This meant they only got home at weekends, weather permitting.

Angus 'Texie' MacLeod, chairman of Western Isles Kidney Patient Association (WIKPA), said: "On the day the renal unit opened, six haemo-dialyisis stations were in place.

“Each station consists of a complete haemo-dialysis machine plus a specially designed chair: four provided by NHS Western Isles, one by the Hebridean Kidney Trust and the other by the Western Isles Kidney Patients Association (WIKPA).”

WIKPA was formed in 2001 by renal patients, their relatives and friends to provide much needed assistance and support for kidney patients and their families throughout the Western Isles.

The anniversary was marked by patients, friends and family members at a buffet lunch where 89-year-old Donald Macdonald from Timsgarry, Uig, the last of the "frequent flyers" to Inverness cut the specially-made birthday cake.

Health board chief executive, Gordon Jamieson, said the unit has made a “dramatic improvement” to the service that NHS Western Isles provides to local patients requiring renal dialysis.

“Our excellent, skilled team work extremely hard to help patients attending the renal unit have a positive experience during their treatment.

“The renal unit continues to develop to provide service improvements and enhancements; and also offers dialysis to a higher number of patients, as well as holiday dialysis for people who want to visit the islands.”

Hospital dialysis unit celebrates 10th anniversary

9 May 2017

Patient Donald Macdonald cuts the cake