A ward at Morriston hospital has been refurbished
to provide a designated training area for patients who want be
involved in their own care. Gail Williams, (clinical leader for
self care education) is enthusiastic about the new facility as
this will enable patients to learn how to manage their own condition,
gaining greater controlandimproved health.
The self care unit provides an environment designed to empower
and educate patients in their haemodialysis treatment. The unit
has six stations, one of which is a cubicle which will be used
by patients’ whose next step will be
“home”. Some comments below from patients who have
experienced self care. “The self care unit is wonderful
and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to take control
of their lives, feel free and well informed of what is happening
to them” “I am not a very confident person and I
have been training for 10 weeks. I am now doing the whole procedure
from start to finish and almost ready to go home. I can’t
believe it! I am not the same person I was when I started dialysis.
I have more confidence and not in the least bit frightened”.
“Taking charge of my treatment really did improve my confidence
and my self esteem, and I now looking forward to home dialysis
and would recommend it to anyone”.
The Swansea Kidney patients’ group has donated a lap top
computer for use by the patients’ within the self care
unit.
Gail intends that the laptop will aid patients’ learning.
Also for patients’ to have access to information on the
web and also access their blood results on “Renal Patients
View”.
Swansea Kidney Group also presented £500
to the ABMU Exercise Research Programme.
John Reever,
Chairman of Swansea Kidney Group is presented with a cheque
for £250, for Morriston Hospital Renal Unit by Neil Pearce.Money
raised from quiz nights by costumers at the North Gower Country
Club. Many thanks for their support.