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Dialysis transport

The number of dialysis patients in the UK is predicted to double over the next decade and many will be aged 60 or over. According to recent research, transport services for dialysis patients are generally underfunded, fragmented and inconsistent.

Although volunteers with the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust drive patients to and from hospitals in their own cars for dialysis across Wales, the time spent travelling can greatly affect patients’ quality of life.

Cross country

Stories of older dialysis patients forced to endure four hour-long journeys whilst feeling ill, picking up and dropping off fellow patients have been widely publicised. The quality of the transport service is also down to a post code lottery, dependant on how close the nearest renal unit is and who you travel with.

“I am sometimes left for up to two and a half hours for transport home after my dialysis. It’s undignified and unpleasant waiting for transport for so long when you feel so ill after treatment...” Renal Patient, Wrexham

Impact on the elderly

West Wales campaigner Tony Wales says transport problems can force older people to make life changing decisions over their treatment.

“I know a lady who gave up dialysis because she could no longer cope with the day-long journeys to and from hospital – she just wanted some quality of life," he said.

The good news is that in Wales the transport of dialysis patients is high on the agenda thanks to the People Like Us campaign and with the launch of a new renal transport project.

Read more about plans for dialysis transport in Renal Transport Project Wales in the next section.

Tell us about your journey times for dialysis and what you think should be done in your area to improve your treatment.