Dialysis patients are set to benefit from bigger and better facilities later this year when the centre moves to a new site in Cambridge.

Since opening in 1990, the dialysis centre based at Addenbrooke's has suffered from a lack of space and over the years several plans for larger units have floundered with suitable sites being swallowed up by new property developments.

But after about a decade of searching, plans have been drawn up for a new unit in Ditton Walk, just off Newmarket Road with staff and services expected to move in by November.

The new facilities will include 36 dialysis stations compared with the current 27, along with TVs for patients, Wi-Fi and a larger waiting area.

Run in partnership with Fresenius, the new Addenbrooke's chronic dialysis unit will house all the dialysis nurses along with the rest of the clinical team, Home Therapies, dieticians, renal social care practitioner and counsellors.

With demand expected to rise, moving to a larger site has become unavoidable. At the moment, the building is running close to capacity and enlarging the building is not possible.

Peter Constable, chairman of the Addenbrooke's Kidney Patients Association (AKPA) and dialysis patient himself, said the new facilities will make a real difference.

"It's currently running close to capacity," he said. "From my point of view I'm dialysing at home so I don't the problem of going to the unit but if the unit is going close to capacity then it can be very difficult for patients who need dialysis at a certain time - if they are working for instance or people like me who travel around and need to use a local unit when I'm either in a foreign country or a different town in England."

The new centre will be used by fitter patients while those with complex health issues will be treated on the dialysis ward at Addenbrooke's.

At a recent meeting with a KPA committee, renal consultant Nick Pritchard described the proposed unit as a "massive improvement".

He added the move would not be going ahead unless it was absolutely necessary and emphasised the current facilities are not large enough and do not have sufficient provision for patients' dialysis in isolation.

Some form of shuttle bus to and from Addenbrooke's for patients, staff and samples will be on offer but the details are not yet decided. There will also be 50 parking spaces on site with free parking for patients. Patients with any questions or concerns can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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