The province announced today, Jan. 13, it will spend $9.1 million to build a 12-station dialysis unit at the Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville.
Construction will begin this fall.
“I’m very excited to see this project move forward,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Dialysis patients typically need treatments three times a week, and adding travel time along with that can be exhausting. This new unit will allow many patients to receive treatment closer to home.”
Many dialysis patients in the Annapolis Valley currently receive treatment at a six-station dialysis unit at the Western Kings Memorial Health Centre in Berwick. Others may have to travel to Halifax for treatments.
When the new unit in Kentville is complete, it will replace the Berwick dialysis unit and allow most patients from the Annapolis Valley that require more complex care to receive hemodialysis treatments closer to home. This includes most patients who might otherwise have to travel to Halifax for treatment.
“The new dialysis unit will be located in the Valley Regional Hospital, which has on site supports such as an emergency department, pharmacy services, and other services that are required to provide more complex care,” said Paula Bond, vice-president of integrated health services program care with the Nova Scotia Health Authority. “Providing greater access to this service in the Annapolis Valley will also help reduce the pressure on the dialysis unit in Halifax.”
Twenty-four patients receive dialysis treatment in Berwick. The new Kentville unit could see up to 48 patients in time.
“We appreciate what we have here in Berwick, but having a dialysis unit in Kentville is great news for everyone in our area who receives this treatment, as well as their families,” said Mabel Schofield, who currently travels from New Minas to receive dialysis treatment in Berwick.
“This treatment is difficult to go through and it’s wonderful that there will be better support for people who need dialysis.”
Construction of the new dialysis unit is expected to be finished in mid-2019.
Source: Release