The renal dialysis unit at St Luke’s Hospital has received a boost thanks to the hard-working efforts of volunteers.

The Friends of St Luke’s have bought a £12,000 ultrasound machine from the proceeds of their various fundraising activities like the volunteer-manned hospital tea bars, table-top sales and donations.

Dr Ramla Mumtaz, Associate Specialist in renal medicine, said: “This is a really important piece of equipment for the renal department which will help in the treatment and care of seriously-ill patients who require urgent haemodialysis.

“We are delighted that the Friends suggested buying this machine as it means we can now divert funds which would otherwise have been spent on buying this scanner into other areas of care.

“So the Friends deserve a very big thank you for raising this money and we are very grateful to them.”

The ultrasound scanner is used for routine procedures on patients attending as day cases but is especially vital when seriously-ill patients require life-saving haemodialysis treatment. Its use assists doctors to gain safe and quick access to patient’s blood vessels.

 “The ultrasound machine provides good view of the vein at the time of catheter insertion,” continued Mumtaz. “It is recommended that major venous access procedures should not be carried out blindly and catheters should be placed under ultrasound guidance ultrasound  use  reduces the risk of possible complications.”

Haemodialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage kidney disease.

“Life on haemodialysis is hard and anything which helps improve quality of care is to be applauded,” added Dr Mumtaz. “Patients requiring this care attend hospital three times a week in order that machines can cleanse the blood of impurities and that quality of life can be maintained.

“At any one time, there are as many as 35 patients receiving this treatment at St Luke’s alone and given there are three shifts a day on the haemodialysis unit, up to 75 people attend daily sessions.”

The renal department now has two scanners in total but before the arrival of this latest machine, the Foundation Trust had to transport one scanner between the Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital depending on patient need.