Cambridge Dialysis Centre

Cambridge Dialysis Centre is where you will come to receive In centre haemodialysis (if this is the dialysis method you have chosen) three times per week, once your kidneys have failed and/or you have been told by your doctor that you will need to start dialysis.

Information for patients

You will come to the Cambridge Dialysis Centre for your dialysis treatment three times per week, this will be on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Your treatment days will stay the same each week and you will be encouraged to attend all your treatments to enable your body to stay as healthy as possible.

You will be allocated morning, afternoon or evening (twilight) slots at the centre, these will stay the same each week.

Each treatment will normally take around 4 hours.

There is free parking for service users on site, or you will make your way to and from the centre via the patient transport service if required.

When you arrive at the centre you will be greeted by a member of the team in the reception area where you will be asked to take a seat in the waiting area whilst staff prepare your dialysis machine. Once your machine and space are ready you will then be called through to the treatment area where you will have your treatment.

You will either have 2 needles inserted into your arm via a fistula or use your line (if you have one). This is known as your dialysis access.

You will be connected to the dialysis machine where your blood will be cleaned and excess fluid from your body removed.

There are 36 dialysis stations (beds) at the centre, split between 2 rooms, you will generally have your treatment at the same bed each session. You will either be allocated to Maple room or Willow room.

Your weight and blood pressure will be checked, if you are a diabetic, your blood sugar will be monitored, if your blood sugar becomes low you will be treated accordingly to help your blood sugar level recover.

Please note, there is no food provision at the Cambridge Dialysis Centre so please bring something to eat and drink with you if required, you will be offered a cup of tea and biscuits during your treatment.

The temperature in the centre is pre-set so please ensure you wear clothing to suit your needs, you are welcome to bring in a blanket if you would like, as often patients on dialysis will feel colder. Blankets are also available if you require one.

There are televisions at each bed space, please bring in your own headphones, these will plug in to the television set using a standard headphone connector.

There is Free Wi-Fi at the centre, please feel free to bring in a device such as a tablet or smartphone to access the internet but if your devices need charging, please be advised that you will need to get them PAT tested prior to use at the centre. Most electricians will do this for a small cost.

After your treatment you will be disconnected from the machine and when ready you may go home.

Referral information

Once you have started Dialysis it is predominantly a permanent treatment. However, there is a possibility you may be suitable for kidney transplantation. You will have the opportunity to discuss this with your renal consultant.

Alternatively, you may be able to do your dialysis treatment at home, the home therapies team at the centre will be able to offer you advice and assess your suitability for this.

Our departments/units

Home Therapies are based at the dialysis centre – please speak to a member of staff who will be glad to pass your request onto the home therapies team if you are interested in doing home dialysis.

Vascular access clinic is based at the dialysis centre, they will monitor your dialysis access and make referrals as necessary.

You will also be seen by the renal dietitian who can offer advice on dietary needs.

There are also Research nurses who are based at the Cambridge Dialysis Centre.

Partner organisations

There are two renal counsellors and a renal social worker based in the dialysis centre who are available to speak to if you if feel you need help and advice whilst on dialysis.

They can help with anxiety and wellbeing as well as offering advice on financial support and grants.

Key personnel