The British Kidney Patient Association (BKPA) has visited the Royal Free Hospital to officially open the acute kidney unit on ward 10 East.

The BKPA donated £100,000 towards the new unit, which has a range of facilities including its own laboratory for carrying out tests and additional side rooms which means privacy for more of our patients. The trust invested a further £1.2million in the unit.

During the event guests were taken on a tour of the facilities and met patients being treated on the ward.

The Acute Kidney Unit is for patients with acute kidney failure or for those recovering from a kidney transplant.

Dr Chris Laing, consultant nephrologist, said that there had been a huge number of people who had helped the acute kidney unit up and running.

“We wanted to recognise the support from the BKPA,” he said. “They were involved in getting the unit built. This is a clean, secure environment for patients and staff and all the staff here are renal specialists so the patients are getting the very best care.”

Sally Taber, chair of the BKPA, said: “It is my pleasure to come and officially open this forward thinking unit.

“We are really proud to have contributed to this unit. The Royal Free London has always led the way in relation to kidney care and this wonderful unit shows that this continues to be the case. Congratulations to you all.”

Tess Adamji said patients have been pleased with their care in the unit, with 97% of patients saying they would recommend the unit to their friends or family, if they needed similar care.

Chris Hill, the practice educator, said that the BKPA had funded additional equipment for the unit, including an electrocardiograph, which allows staff to monitor a patient’s heart.

Image: Sally Taber, second left, with David Sloman, the chief executive of the Royal Free London, and members of staff from the unit.

ENDS

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, haemophilia, renal, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London.