Tree of remembrance unveiled as renal dialysis unit celebrates one-year anniversary at new Telford base

In November last year, the service moved to its state-of-the-art facility in Hollinswood House on Stafford Park, Telford, where it provides care for lower-risk dialysis patients while acute services remain at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The Telford base is now on the same site as the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) that is run by The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH). 

Renal dialysis services were previously delivered on a former ward at Princess Royal Hospital.

To mark their one-year anniversary, each patient on the unit was presented with a commemorative gift, and the tree of remembrance was unveiled - allowing anyone to pay their respects to patients who had passed away during the year.

Centre manager (espiratory and renal) Lynne Morris said: "I am so proud of the nurse-led satellite unit which has been open for 12 months. The care that is delivered here is first class, the building and facilities are also first class and have been designed around the needs of our renal patients. 

"We have been able to increase the number of stations from 18 to 26 and the facilities are much improved for patients and also for staff.

"It has been lovely to be involved in the celebrations which have included the unveiling of a tree in commemoration of some of our patients who are sadly no longer with us and to mark us being open for 12 months."

SaTH said that patients, staff and members of the public all helped to shape the services at the renal unit, which is more than double the size of its previous unit. The off-site location also creates more clinical space for both patients and staff, as well as being more accessible.

The county's hospital trust added that the new unit allows teams to meet not only the current level of dialysis demand, but also future demand. 

Unit manager Alisha Morgan said: "I am immensely proud of the staff since we moved here. Patient satisfaction is fantastic and they love being here. 

"It's more spacious, the environment is much cleaner and parking a lot better - all round it is amazing."

Renal unit matron Heather Reece added: "The building is beautiful - it is spacious and airy, It is lovely to walk into here. Patients and staff love it. The staff worked really hard to move here, they are so enthusiastic and care about the patients and the place. It’s just a pleasure to be here."