Kidney failure figures set to rise
THE number of patients suffering from kidney failure in the region are expected to increase by 1,000 by 2020, it can be revealed today.
SUFFOLK: Numbers of patients suffering from kidney failure in the region are expected to increase by 1,000 by 2020, it can be revealed today.
The predicted rise has triggered The East of England Specialised Commissioning Group to launch proposals to expand services in the county, with plans to set up a treatment base in Stowmarket.
Latest figures show there were 1,769 patients who needed dialysis treatment [a filtering method] in the East of England in 2008 and this is expected to rise to 2,868 in 2020.
The rise in numbers is down to the longer life expectancy for older people as kidney failure is more prevalent in that age group, and an increase in conditions relating to lifestyles like obesity and diabetes.
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There are currently 94 patients who share the 19 dialysis stations in Ipswich Hospital. There are ten patients in Aldeburgh to five stations, and 56 patients in West Suffolk to 13 stations. The proposal is to set a new base up in Stowmarket and one in Beccles.
Winston Chapman, chairman of the Ipswich and District Kidney Association, who had dialysis before getting a kidney transplant nine years ago, said: “We would welcome this. We are lucky in Ipswich that we have got one [treatment base] close to us.
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“We know there are a lot of patients who have had problems getting started on treatment. The number of people needing treatment is increasing all the time.”
Meetings are being held across the region and will enable people to find out more about the consultation and get information from the experts.
There will be a meeting in the Civic offices in Milton Road South, Stowmarket, on Tuesday, January 12, from 2pm to 4pm.
Fiona Loud, chairman of The Kidney Alliance, local Kidney Patient Association and East of England Renal Project Board member, said: “This is your chance to influence the way in which services are developed. Your involvement is important to ensure you get the service you need.”
To submit your views on the consultation, visit www.eoescg.nhs.uk and complete a form online.
The deadline for feedback is Monday, March 8.
Do you suffer from kidney problems and have a view on this? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.
