We have three units where people come for their dialysis treatment. These are at:
- Durham Diagnostics and Treatment Centre
- Sunderland Royal Hospital
- Washington Primary Care Centre.
The units are open early in the morning and later into the evening, as well as at weekends. Our aim is to be as flexible as possible to fit around your life.
Patients will normally come three times a week to have their dialysis.
When you arrive, we will first ask you to wash your hands. We will then check your weight and show you to your dialysis chair or bed.
We will check your vital signs before connecting you to the dialysis machine. This is to ensure you are well enough to start treatment.
Each session usually takes 4 hours. This may vary if your Consultant thinks you need longer or shorter.
After the treatment, we will check your weight again before going home. This is so we can see how much fluid has gone from your body and plan your next dialysis.
We will take a blood tests from the dialysis machine at least every month.
You will get to know our team and your fellow patients. It is a very sociable place. We will also let you know about our exercise programme and help you to stay fit and healthy.
Click on the video below to hear more about this.
If you come to one of our centres for dialysis, you can get free car parking. Click here to fill in the registration form. You may also be eligible to claim travel expenses.
If you need help with travel just let us know. Most patients arrive by their own means but we can arrange transport if you need it. It will take a little longer to get here if you need help with transport.
Our expert renal team of nurses and healthcare assistants are there to support you. They will talk you through what is happening. They can also help train you if you wan to learn how to do your own dialysis at home.
Watch the video below to see what to expect when you come for dialysis
