Government Breaks Ground on Kentville Dialysis Unit

---

Construction has started for a new dialysis unit at the Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville.

Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey was joined by hospital staff and members of the community to break ground on the new site today, Aug. 10.

“Dialysis patients often make multiple trips for treatment each week,” said Mr. Delorey. “This new unit will allow many Annapolis Valley patients with more complex medical conditions to be treated closer to home.”

Right now, many dialysis patients in the Annapolis Valley travel to the Western Kings Memorial Health Centre in Berwick for treatment. Others may have to travel to Halifax. The new 12-station unit in Kentville will replace the six-station unit in Berwick and will serve twice as many patients. There are about 24 patients currently receiving dialysis treatment in Berwick.

The new unit will reduce travel for some patients, particularly those with more complex medical conditions who may have to travel to Halifax for treatment. Additional staff will be hired for the new dialysis unit in Kentville.

“This is an exciting step forward for Valley Regional Hospital,” said senior medical director of Nova Scotia Health Authority’s renal program, Dr. Steven Soroka. “A new dialysis unit will be an integral part of the health care we provide in Kentville.”

Construction is expected to be completed by winter 2020.

Dexter Construction has been awarded the contract for the first of two phases. The first phase, underway now, includes excavating the building blueprint, removing unsuitable materials and re-routing a watermain for the new building addition.

---

Source: Release