April 2014
Hello and welcome to my first blog! My name is Vicki Poynton; I am the Senior Manager for Renal Services at Salford Royal. Hopefully I will be able to keep you up to date on all things renal across Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and Wigan.
Some of you may be aware that the Oldham Dialysis Unit (below) opened on the 28 April 2014, at which time 56 patients transferred from Rochdale and Salford to receive their care closer to home and I’m sure this will have a positive impact on those patients benefiting from the new service. The opening of the Oldham Unit has also enabled us to increase the total number of dialysis stations across the west sector from 370 to 392 maintenance HD slots.
Oldham Dialysis Unit on a lovely sunny day
If you use patient transport to travel to your dialysis session at Wigan or Bolton, you will already be aware that for all patients who can walk or use their wheelchair on their own, or with the help of one ambulance driver, the transport service is provided by Salford Royal. I am delighted to say that this service has now been expanded to include Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, and we have already received feedback from patients to say how happy they are with the new transport arrangements.
We have also made improvements to our intravenous iron infusion service, as we have now introduced a new infusion which reduces anaemia patients’ hospital admissions from approximately 6 hours to 2. Staff have commented on how much better this has been for patients as their entire day is not taken up sitting in the hospital.
I hope it comes across how committed we are at Salford Royal to improving services for patients. Because of this commitment please can I urge any patients who receive anaemia treatment through the drug Erythropoietin (EPO) to provide us with your preferences as to how you like to be contacted, and how you like to order your repeat prescriptions, by answering the questions in a short survey.
Thanks for taking the time to post this Vicki, I think it’s fantastic to see medical professionals engaging with their patients via social media tools. Keep blogging! 😉
Yes thanks Vicki for the info . Any more news on food and bikes yours Glynn ?
There will be lots to blog about Rob, so I’m sure you’ll be hearing from me a lot!
Really pleased to hear that Vicki. If you need any help, just ask.
Hi Glynn, I am making slow but steady progress with regards to food and exercise bikes, hopefully I will be able to make some improvement updates relating to these areas within my future blogs. Thanks Vicki
Thanks Vicki for the info look forward to your next blog I attend both Oldham and Salford royal as a patient and like to keep up to date!!!!
Helo Sir its nice to hear that the new centre is opening in Oldham but i personaly thing that Salford Royal renal unit is providing best care with all regards as my mum receive the care in last year july till september and then she receive live kdieny transplant from me In MRI but its a nice idea to hear that oldham centre is open for dialysis i think it willl help patient to travel less and rest more
Thanks Vicki for the update .hopeing to hear from you soon your Glynn
Hi Vicki, have you had time to reflect on your first blog? I go through phases where the writing comes easily but at other times, although I’ve got an idea what I want to say, I just can’t get it written! That said, I always get a buzz when my blogs get a comment or two.