Renal dialysis services to resume at Banbury's Horton General from next week

The Horton Renal Unit was moved to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford on a temporary basis as they mobilised their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plans have now been finalised to move renal dialysis back to the Horton General from Monday August 17.

The service will be relocated to an area adjacent to F Ward, which is currently being prepared for this purpose. Oak Ward, where the Horton Renal Unit was previously located before its temporary move to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, continues to be used for additional critical care capacity.

Last month, the Banbury Guardian spoke to a Banbury mum who had been spending seven hours a day getting treatment after the Horton dialysis treatment facilities were moved to Oxford.

Jasmine Parker, 30, has needed dialysis three times a week for the last four years. In the past she has undergone two failed kidney transplants.

Jasmine's mum, Diane Wincott who traveled with her for treatment to Oxford, said: "My daughter was told on Monday they were coming back to Banbury.

"But because they will only have eight beds available they will have to split it into three groups morning, afternoon and early evening.

"It is also two months later then was said. Eight weeks turned into four months. My daughter, Jasmine, has been getting transport to the Nuffield Orthopedic centre for her dialysis and I collect her.

"I believe that all the relatives and even friends that have collected patients over this last four months should get some kind of compensation. Because it has gone on longer than we were told it has added an extra 2,500 miles onto my car mileage, which I can guarantee I will not get compensated for.

"These last four months has been a strain not just on me, but more for Jasmine and the other dialysis patients.

"I'm just worried that if we get another bad spike of COVID-19 that they will move them out of town again. And they really don't need that."

Allie Thornley, matron and clinical lead for renal medicine, said: “I would like to thank our Banbury patients and staff for their understanding during the temporary relocation of the Horton Renal Unit to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford. This was necessary to ensure patient safety during our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are very grateful to all our patients for their patience during this time. We appreciate that travelling to Oxford regularly for treatment over the last few months has been challenging for patients and their families and carers.

“We would also like to thank our dedicated renal staff who moved so quickly to relocate the Horton Renal Unit in order to ensure continuity of care for our Banbury patients.

“Everyone is looking forward to welcoming back our patients to the Horton General on Monday 17 August so they can continue to receive treatment closer to home.”