At last... dialysis unit is very welcome
SIR – As a committee, we would like to express our delight that there is finally going to be a dialysis unit set up at Withybush General Hospital.
This has been our ultimate aim and ambition since our inception as a committee 27 years ago.
After years of lobbying, we had been told over and over again, that there couldn’t and wouldn’t be a unit this far west. We are now beginning to feel hopeful.
We are disappointed that the permanent 21-station facility will take until 2011 to complete, but we are very excited and enthused at the possibility that a six-station temporary unit can be up and running by the end of this year.
This has to be such good news for the patients from Pembrokeshire, who have to face an extended journey to Carmarthen three times weekly for life-saving treatment. For some their day begins as early as 5.30am.
Hopefully, when the permanent unit is under way, facilities can be made available for holidaymakers to dialyse while they and their family are enjoying the wonderful scenery and amenities that the beautiful county of Pembrokeshire has to offer.
As a committee, we intend to continue raising funds to make sure that every comfort and need of those using the new unit will be met.
We are also committed to continue monitoring the progress of the construction and setting up of the units, to ensure that the work is completed as promised, as this facility is both, long overdue and very much welcomed.
CHRIS MACKEEN
Chair, Haverfordwest Committee of Kidney Wales Foundation
Showing posts with label Letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Letters. Show all posts
Monday, August 4, 2008
LETTER TO WESTERN MAIL 4 August 2008
A missed chance
SIR – I am disappointed by the WAG Health Committees’ decision not to pursue creating a “soft” opt-out system for organ donation.
Patients continue to die on waiting lists as the demand for organs increases; a natural consequence of patients living longer with co morbidities and chronic illnesses. An opt out system would have stimulated debate amongst the public, raised awareness regarding organ donation as well as the current dire shortage, as well as forcing people to face up to discussing death with their families.
One only has to look to recent media headlines to see the fantastic second chance that organ donor problems provides, with the tragic loss of life of a three-year-old girl crushed to death turning to happiness as her parents decided to help others by donating her heart and parts of her eyes.
I only hope that the Welsh Assembly Government now commit themselves to running a vast public awareness campaign encouraging people to become voluntary donors under the current system.
I only hope that in years to come a review may decide that opt out is the route to take for Wales. This decision is a missed opportunity to once again lead the way in healthcare. My only fear is that as a doctor, I may have to face many patients and their families, desperate to receive an organ and break the tragic news to them that they may die as there is no organ available.
DR DAVID GWYNFOR SAMUEL
Pant, Merthyr Tydfil
SIR – I am disappointed by the WAG Health Committees’ decision not to pursue creating a “soft” opt-out system for organ donation.
Patients continue to die on waiting lists as the demand for organs increases; a natural consequence of patients living longer with co morbidities and chronic illnesses. An opt out system would have stimulated debate amongst the public, raised awareness regarding organ donation as well as the current dire shortage, as well as forcing people to face up to discussing death with their families.
One only has to look to recent media headlines to see the fantastic second chance that organ donor problems provides, with the tragic loss of life of a three-year-old girl crushed to death turning to happiness as her parents decided to help others by donating her heart and parts of her eyes.
I only hope that the Welsh Assembly Government now commit themselves to running a vast public awareness campaign encouraging people to become voluntary donors under the current system.
I only hope that in years to come a review may decide that opt out is the route to take for Wales. This decision is a missed opportunity to once again lead the way in healthcare. My only fear is that as a doctor, I may have to face many patients and their families, desperate to receive an organ and break the tragic news to them that they may die as there is no organ available.
DR DAVID GWYNFOR SAMUEL
Pant, Merthyr Tydfil
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