First Peritoneal Dialysis in Cardiff - 1979

Back in 1979 the first patients were started on CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) in Cardiff Royal Infirmary by Professor Coles and his team and later on to APD (automated peritoneal dialysis).  Whilst the location (now University Hospital of Wales), mechanisms, technology and manufacturers may have changed over the years the basic principles have not. 
The beauty of PD is that is essentially a very simple system that allows people with renal failure to take control of their treatment in their own home without the need for lots of complicated equipment.  This grants people the freedom to perform bag exchanges in many different locations including work, short trips away and on longer holidays.
Over the years PD has developed into a community based therapy starting with people being trained in their own home and then followed up with visits at home for support and assistance.  People come to clinic approximately every 6 weeks for medical review but that is generally the only hospital visits that need to be made.
As a celebration of this anniversary the PD unit is hoping to organise an event in the spring time to invite people on PD new and old to join us in marking this time.  If you have any suggestions for this event or would like to know more about it please contact Claire Main, PD unit sister on 02920 745404.
If you would like to know more about PD in general please contact SSN Lynn Davies on 02920 745022  or the PD unit on 02920 74 2275.