Fareham 'ghost' hospital opens kidney treatment hub
A COMMUNITY hospital in Fareham at risk of becoming a ‘ghost clinic’ has opened a hub to train patients to administer their own dialysis treatment.
The Renal Home Therapies Hub will support patients from Fareham Community Hospital, in 233A Brook Lane, Sarisbury Green.
The hub will offer dialysis treatment, home therapies and respite care for hundreds of patients who would otherwise need to attend Queen Alexandra Hospital.
Fareham Meon Rotary Club supported the creation of the service with a donation of £4,275, with club spokesman Len Bamber saying the new facility would make a ‘massive difference’ for patients.
He said: ‘It will make a massive difference for renal patients.
‘Currently you would go into hospital for dialysis but in the future you would go into the hospital for a day to be trained to self-dalysis.
‘It’s a massive change if you can do it in the comfort of your own home surrounded by people you know, and it’s a considerable amount of people who will benefit.
The creation of the new hub comes after lobbying from Friends of Fareham Community Hospital and Fareham MP Suella Braverman, who has led a task force to increase the number of services on offer.
Last year, footfall surveys conducted by the task force showed that the site was under used for a facility of its size, often resembling a ‘ghost clinic’ according to Mrs Braverman.
She said: ‘I am pleased to see that the recommendations included in my ‘Vision for Fareham Community Hospital’, published last year, are being taken forward by local health trusts.
‘Indeed, this initiative represents an important step in delivering the care that patients in Fareham deserve.
‘The team at Fareham Community Hospital have behaved admirably in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, and I wish to express my gratitude for their efforts over the last few months.
‘As we slowly emerge from the current crisis, we must shift our focus towards the future and continue to improve the provision and quality of local health care in Fareham.’
The Vision for Fareham Community Hospital report recommends a bus stop and expanded GP access are put in place to turn around the site.