Bequest hospital renal unit opens

Sagle Bernstein gave £11m to the hospital that cared for her sister

The first patients are beginning kidney dialysis treatment at a new renal unit built with help from a bequest to a north Norfolk hospital.

Patients who faced long round-trips to Norwich will now be treated at the unit which opened at the Cromer and District Hospital on Wednesday.

It has been partly funded by £500,000 from the legacy of Sagle Bernstein.

Mrs Bernstein, who died in 2000 aged 82, left £11m to the hospital to thank staff for caring for her dying sister.

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust chairman David Prior said: "The addition of an eight-station dialysis unit for north Norfolk patients is a major step forward and saves patients having to make repeat trips to Norwich.

"I am glad that we have been able to put to good use some of the late Sagle Bernstein's very generous legacy and these new types of treatment at Cromer Hospital will undoubtedly benefit local patients."