A Renal Interventional Unit has opened at Southmead Hospital following a donation from a Bristol kidney patients group.
The two-bedded room within the renal inpatient ward in the Brunel building has been funded by the Bristol Area Kidney Patients’ Association (BAKPA) to improve the experience of patients coming in for biopsies and to have dialysis lines fitted or removed.
The money was donated to the charity by Philip Mann in recognition of the 25th anniversary of his kidney transplant at Southmead Hospital.
The unit serves as a recovery area for patients who have the planned day case procedures on the ward. Depending on the procedure they have undergone patients will stay in the unit for an average of two to six hours.
BAKPA chairman Mike McAllister, who has been involved with the charity since he had his first transplant in 1986, said: “It’s great to be able to see the fulfilment of what we stand for – patients working for patients.
“Knowing what it is like to be ill and on dialysis makes us want to put back what we got out of it while making things easier for patients.
“It is a pleasure to have raised funds for this unit on behalf of BAKPA.”
Philip Mann, who received his kidney in June 1990, said: “I felt I should mark the anniversary in some way so I made a contribution towards this unit.
“I was involved in BAKPA as a committee member when I lived in Bristol and looked them up. I remembered Mike from all those years ago and he told me about this and it seemed worthwhile.”
Renal Clinical Director, Rommel Ravanan, thanked the members of BAKPA for their contribution to creating the Renal Intervention Unit.
“The help we have received towards this unit will benefit the patient population not just this year and next but for many years going forward,” he said.
