To treat our dialysis patients more comfortably

We currently treat around 500 dialysis patients across five Renal units, located in
Bedford, Harlow, Luton, Stevenage and St Albans. 72% of these patients need nurses to
use needles to get access to their blood circulation for dialysis.

A portable Doppler machine, also known as an ultrasound machine, shows the best areas to place needles for optimum comfort and treatment outcomes. It uses a non-invasive scanning process with ultrasound technology to allow a clinician to see the blood vessels and surrounding tissue. We would like to purchase a machine for each of
our five units.

Dopplers are not a statutory funding responsibility, so although patients receive the
quality of care expected by the NHS, guesswork in dialysis is not uncommon and this
can be uncomfortable.

Through the purchase of these machines we would be enhancing the care of over 350
patients each year.

This project aims to achieve the following improvements in care for our patients: 

• Increased comfort, as clinicians will map the blood vessels with total accuracy
• Earlier detection of blood vessel problems
• A more relaxing experience, reducing the likelihood of depression in patients