Local service for kidney patients

Marion Laird was the first patient to use the new renal facility

A grandmother who once had to make a 500-mile weekly trip for dialysis treatment has become the first patient to use Orkney's new renal unit.

The long-awaited facility for haemodialysis treatment has opened and 63-year-old Marion Laird was first through its doors.

Mrs Laird said she was relieved that she would not have to travel to the mainland for her life-saving treatment.

It is thought that six patients will be using the unit by the end of the year.

Long campaign

Mrs Laird said: "It was fine today, everything went fine.

"They were very nice to me. It's just the same as having it at home.

"I don't want to go back to Aberdeen. I've had enough of that already."

Richard Shoesmith, vice-chairman of the Orkney Kidney Patient Association, said it had been a long campaign.

Marion Laird missed out on a lot of life just to stay alive Richard Shoesmith Orkney Kidney Patient Association

"It's what we've been fighting for for a long time," he said.

"It's going to make a huge difference to people's lives - nobody is going to be forced to live in Aberdeen."

Mr Shoesmith said the unit would help those who felt uncomfortable being trained to use a home dialysis unit and patients who needed more complicated haemodialysis.

"The unit will help the most fragile age group, like elderly people living on their own," he said.

"Marion Laird is in the classic group of people who will benefit.

"While she was in Aberdeen she was missing out on her grandchildren growing up.

"She missed out on a lot of life just to stay alive."

Service development

In one year, Mrs Laird had to travel 26,000 miles for the life-saving treatment.

More recently, she was able to receive home dialysis after two trained nurses were employed at the Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall.

The new unit will be able to provide haemodialysis for up to three kidney patients at any one time.

It is hoped that this can be extended to eight once the service becomes more established.

Staff will also be supported by a video conferencing link which will allow then to consult with experts based at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.