At-home dialysis fully funded after NHS Grampian hospital issues

George Cook had to travel 50 miles to Inverurie for his care after initially being told he would have to make an overnight trip to Banff from his home in Aberlour.

Mr Cook and his wife have since moved to nearer the renal unit in Elgin and said the new NHS Grampian change was too late from him.

He said he had to remove his own machine in his house due to rising energy costs – costs which are now included in the programme.

He added: “I tried quite vigorously to get NHS Grampian to engage with me about the costs of the electricity for running the equipment but I had no success and was met with silence.

“But if anyone feels they could do it at home please go for it because it does make your life a lot easier and give you greater freedom.”

Scott Arnot, of NHS Grampian, said: “Home Haemodialysis will eradicate that travel aspect for patients so they will gain that valuable time back in their lives.

“I’m sure that people will take up the opportunity and take away those timely travel times that some of those patients can have across Grampian.”

Patient support charity Kidney Care UK have welcomed the scheme but called for NHS Grampian to go even further.

Fiona Loud, the charity’s policy director, said: “Not everyone will be suitable for home dialysis, and national guidance notes that 20% is the potential proportion of people who could be on this treatment.

“Extending this to 10% is a start but we’d like to see NHS Grampian aim for a base line of 20% over time.”