Capacity in Powell River General Hospital’s dialysis unit will double by the summer of 2021.
The expansion is being undertaken to meet increasing patient demand and provide essential care in a brighter, more comfortable and patient-centred setting, according to a Vancouver Coastal Health media release.
The expanded unit will have six dialysis stations, allowing up to 12 patients to receive treatment without having to travel. The current unit has three dialysis stations, resulting in some patients having to travel to Sechelt or further three times a week to receive treatment when demand outweighs capacity.
According to BC Renal Agency, an estimated one in 10 people have some level of kidney disease, and they can lose up to 80 per cent of their kidney function before noticing any symptoms.
There are more than 5,200 kidney care patients in the VCH/PHC region. BC Renal plans, funds and coordinates health-care services for patients with kidney disease in the province.
