Kidney dialysis

Kidney dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to do so effectively. It is a life-sustaining treatment when your kidneys can no longer perform their essential functions. We provide haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis as part of our comprehensive renal services.

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a medical procedure that artificially filters waste products and excess fluid from the blood, essentially doing the job your kidneys can no longer do. There are two main types of dialysis: haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Both methods help to keep your body in balance by removing waste, salt, and extra water to prevent them from building up in your body. They also help keep a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate, and help control blood pressure. For more information, please follow this link: What is dialysis.

Haemodialysis

Haemodialysis involves diverting blood through an external machine, called a dialyzer or artificial kidney, that filters it and then returns the cleaned blood to the body. This is typically done at our dialysis units or at home with proper training and equipment. During a session, a machine pumps blood out of your body to the dialyzer, where it passes through a special filter that removes waste products and excess fluid. The filtered blood is then returned to your body.

Peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is a type of dialysis that can be done at home, giving patients more flexibility. This method uses the lining of your abdomen (peritoneum) as a natural filter. A sterile solution is put into your abdomen through a catheter, and the waste products and excess fluid pass from your blood into this solution. After a few hours, the solution is drained and replaced with a fresh one. Our home care team provides support and training to patients undertaking or about to start dialysis treatment at home. In some cases, a machine can be used to deliver this therapy which can benefit some patients.

Our satellite dialysis units

We manage renal satellite units in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and parts of Cambridgeshire. These units include:

A 15-station unit in Boston, Lincolnshire, with accessible facilities and good parking.

Address: Havenside House, Fishtoft Road, Fishtoft, Boston. PE21 0AH

Call: 01205 316401

A 32-station unit (including six isolation rooms) treating patients from North Northamptonshire and surrounding areas. It dialyses 135 patients over six days per week, with options for nocturnal dialysis.

Address: 5 Trafalgar Road, Kettering, NN16 8DB

Call: 01536 512535

Clinically managed by University Hospitals of Leicester and operationally run by DaVita. It has the capacity to treat 174 patients a week.

Address: 50 Crest Rise (off Lewisher Road), Leicester, LE4 9LR

Call: 0116 246 4176

An nine-dialysis station unit with capacity for 45 local patients, also offering holiday sessions.

Address: Unit 2, Earlesfield Industrial Estate, Earlesfield Lane, Grantham, NG31 7NT

Call: 01476 850025

Located on the Lincoln County Hospital site. The unit has 12 stations and two isolation rooms. Current capacity is 75 patients.

Address: Lincoln County Hospital, Greetwell Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 5QY

Call: 01522 573561

The unit provides a haemodialysis service for patients who live in and around Loughborough.

Address: Loughborough Hospital, Hospital Way, Loughborough, LE11 5JY

Call: 01509 564270

The unit has 36 stations including six isolation rooms and treats patients from South Northamptonshire and the surrounding area. Dialysis is offered to patients over six days per week and shifts include the option for nocturnal dialysis. The unit also has a separate area for training patients in home dialysis or self care.

Address: Riverside House, Riverside Way Industrial Estate, Bedford Road, Northampton, NN1 5NX

Call: 01604 628976

The dialysis centre has capacity for 30 local dialysis patients and also offers holiday sessions for patients throughout the UK. It is close to Skegness town centre.

Address: 5 Ida Road, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE25 2AR

Call: 01754 762220

The Peterborough dialysis unit is a new large dialysis unit with capacity for 50 stations including 10 isolation rooms.

Address: Westwood Farm, Brettongate, Peterborough, PE3 9UP

Call: 01733 961700

The new Leicester dialysis unit is a new large dialysis unit with capacity for 50 stations including nine isolation rooms.

Address: Genesis Park, Magna Road, South Wigston, Leics. LE18 4AJ

Call: 0116 504 6880

Useful patient information leaflets