We have taken every precaution to prevent transmission in the clinics and to ensure that you are safe.

• You will be required to wear a face covering before you enter the unit.
• A member of staff will screen you for potential covid-19 symptoms on arrival at the unit. Please let us know if a family member is positive with coronavirus, or if you have been in contact with a positive person.
• Physical distancing is being enforced in the clinic.
• Hand sanitiser are available at entrances and exits and within the clinic
• Staff will wear additional personal protective equipment (PPE) than you are used to seeing, such as masks, visors, gloves and aprons / gowns.

As the government makes changes to the guidelines on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19, people are starting to venture out of the comfort and safety of their own home. The National Kidney Federation (NKF) have made some highly visible lanyards available to make members of the public aware that the person wearing the lanyard is highly vulnerable, and to be considerate with social distancing. The wearer will be able to clip a small hand sanitiser on the lanyard if they wish. You can request for these lanyards directly from the NKF or through your local KPA.

You must wear a face covering on all public transport, including taxis and patient transport.

If you are travelling alone in your own vehicle, you will not need a mask. However, you will be required to put on a face covering when you enter the clinic for your treatment. If you are mask-exempt, please collect a mask-exempt lanyard from your local Hospital.

We advise that you be aware of the surfaces you touch. Wash your hands or use hand gel frequently, especially when you are outside your house, after using public transport, touching surfaces etc.

Patient transport is a free service provided by your local Trust for patients who are unable to attend their regular hospital appointments by public transport or any other means due to their medical condition. If you qualify for patient transport, your local Trust will book your transport for the days of your dialysis appointments.

Free onsite parking is available for patients on the day of your appointment, including accessible parking spaces for registered disabled drivers.  Please be aware that parking spaces for dialysis units on hospital grounds, are subject to availability.

Our clinics are wheelchair accessible. Entrance to our clinics and toilets are suitable for wheelchairs.

Bring what you need for your care and comfort.

Please do not cover your access with clothing or blankets during your treatment. It is important for us to be able to reach your dialysis access (fistula, graft or line) easily, so if you have a fistula in your arm, we suggest that you wear clothes with loose fitting sleeves,.

We do recommend that you bring a mobile device or something to help pass the time. Dialysis can make you more susceptible to feeling cold, so you might want to wear warm clothes. Many people prefer to bring a small blanket to feel more comfortable.

Please do not bring valuable items or large amounts of money with you, as we do not have storage facility in centre and cannot be responsible for them if they are lost. Bring only what you need for your care and comfort.

Most patients pass the time during dialysis in activities such as reading, writing, sleeping, knitting, listening to music, watching TV or just chatting. All our dialysis centres have televisions, free Wi-Fi for use with a mobile device, and please ask the staff for details. Please bring headphones so that you do not disturb other patients. Our clinics hold light activities or games to entertain patients during dialysis. We also mark birthdays, special milestones and national events in our clinic.

It is as important for dialysis patients to take a holiday as it is for anyone else, and provided you give enough notice and are flexible enough, there is no reason why you should not be able to do this. Arrangements for you to have haemodialysis at another unit may be made within this country or abroad. Please talk to your Consultant or Nurse at least two months before you plan to travel and before making any plans. This is so we can make sure that you are fit enough to travel as well as to give us enough time to help you arrange your holiday dialysis. COVID-19 restrictions and the Foreign Office guidance apply.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature, new and continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) call the NHS 111 number immediately and please notify your clinic for further advice. Please be aware that you will be screened for potential covid-19 symptoms on arrival at the clinic, so it is important you inform us if you have been in contact with someone who has the symptoms or has tested positive with patient.

If you feel unwell during dialysis or have any concerns about your health you should tell one of the nurses and they will arrange for you to see a doctor.

If your health concern is not related to your dialysis, we advise you to see your GP as soon as you can. This is because we are not equipped to deal with problems not caused by your kidney failure, and we do not always have a doctor in the dialysis centre.

We will invite you to give us feedback on the services you receive. This will be in form of a short survey twice a year. Your feedback is important to us and we would be grateful for any comments that you give us. The information you give us will be treated in confidence. However, you are free at any time to share any concerns you have with your nurse in charge or the clinic manager.