The Transonic HD03 Hemodialysis Monitoring scanner costs £37,000 and is crucial for detecting issues before major, invasive surgeries are needed. Through collections, cake sales, donations from local businesses, and by selling tickets for this year’s Christmas Raffle, the local charity has nearly raised enough funds to purchase the island’s first scanner – which could arrive in time for Christmas.
The renal unit in Princess Elizabeth Hospital is a satellite unit of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London. It provides dialysis and care for those with kidney disease, while any major treatment or surgeries need to be referred to London.
‘The renal unit is very good,’ said Dave Smith, chairman of the GKPA.
‘But their ability to catch a problem with fistulas isn’t there without this Transonic machine. It will mean we won’t have to go back and forth to London as often, or when we do – it won’t be for such a serious problem. Sometimes these fistulas fail to the extent that they’ve got to try again in the other arm – which is very limiting. You can’t do anything with the arm that has a fistula in it. You can’t do any blood pressure readings, injections or lift more than three kilos – I couldn’t pick up my grandson. Anything we can do to give an early warning of problems is good news. But the States won’t fund it.’
Mr Smith was diagnosed with a rare condition, anti-GBM disease, after moving to the island a couple of years ago.
‘It was a huge shock,’ he said.
‘One in a million people get this disease. It wiped my kidneys out in two weeks. I was given a couple of choices – a highly life-threatening attempt to treat it, or to go on dialysis and wait for a transplant.’
With half an hour to decide, he chose dialysis. Due to the nature of his condition, Mr Smith is unable to join a transplant list until there is no trace left of the rare disease in his body. He is one of 25 islanders currently on dialysis.
‘These guys in the renal unit are keeping us alive three times a week,’ said Mr Smith.
‘It’s also really nice in there, they’re a good team. The nurses are great with us. There’s a dark humour around the place – because of the number of people that die – but when one of us gets the call to get a transplant, it’s brilliant, and gives us encouragement.’
The GKPA has about half a dozen people on its committee and all the people that come into the renal unit are members. It works closely with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital to support the local unit. Mr Smith said it is always looking for more volunteers to join its team.
The charity’s Christmas Raffle tickets are £5 each and the first prize is a £1,000 voucher of choice. The draw will commence on Friday 19 December.
Anyone keen to try their luck can purchase tickets from the Renal Unit at PEH or by emailing Mr Smith on davesmith1917@yahoo.com. They will also be available at the Renal Unit’s stall at the Charities Fair at Beau Sejour on Sunday 16 November. For more information on kidney care in the island, visit www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/guernsey-kidney.
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