Renal dialysis unit for Llandrindod Wells hospital

Some kidney patients in the Llandrindod Wells area travel to Hereford for dialysis at the moment

A renal dialysis unit is to open at a Powys hospital early next year which will help cut patient journey times.

Building work on the kidney unit at Llandrindod Wells Memorial Hospital starts this month.

Some patients currently travel to Hereford for dialysis, about 30 miles (48km) away.

A temporary facility at Victoria Memorial Hospital, Welshpool will be replaced by a permanent one next year.

Plans to offer treatment closer to home in Llandrindod Wells and Welshpool were announced in 2009, and the temporary unit in Welshpool opened last year.

Powys Teaching Health Board, the University Hospital Birmingham, the Welsh Renal Clinic Network and the Welsh government have worked together to develop the unit in Llandrindod Wells.

'Less stressful'

The teaching health board's medical director, Brendan Lloyd, said: "By establishing a dialysis unit here in Llandrindod Wells, we are helping to improve the lives of our residents.

"Kidney dialysis not only affects the patient but also friends and family around them.

"This unit will mean that fewer patients have to make the long journey to centres outside of Powys and will help to make the process less stressful and uncomfortable."

The dialysis unit in Llandrindod Wells will treat 16 patients a day and be open six days a week.

Building work starts in Welshpool on Monday.