Oxford University Hospitals opens Milton Keynes dialysis unit

Providing specialist services for kidney patients closer to home, the 16-bed unit is located in the Whitehouse Health Centre.

Previously, some patients from Milton Keynes travelled three times a week to the Churchill Hospital in Oxford for treatment.

Patients Cristiane Gieseke and Dennis Goje cut the ribbon alongside representatives from OUH, MKCC, and MKUH (Image: OMI/OUH)

With the opening of this new unit, also run by the Oxford kidney unit in addition to the renal unit at Milton Keynes University Hospital, Milton Keynes patients no longer require such travel.

The new facility is capable of treating a total of 64 patients three times a week, equating to approximately 10,000 fewer long trips per year and a substantial saving in travel time.

This reduction in travelling alleviates the pressure on patients and saves about 4.5 tonnes of carbon every year, supporting the trust's carbon reduction and sustainability plan.

Initial patients were treated in December 2023, with the official opening ceremony held on January 29.

Charlotte Turner, matron renal medicine at OUH, said: "The opening of this unit and expansion of renal dialysis services in Milton Keynes will have a really positive impact on our patients as, instead of needing to travel to Oxford, the travel times are much less.

"Staff are loving working here so far in a new, more modern environment, helping us to provide the best possible care to our renal dialysis patients."

Patient Cristiane Gieseke (Image: OMI/OUH)

One Milton Keynes patient benefiting from the new unit is Cristiane Gieseke, 50, who was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in 1994 and now requires dialysis three times a week since her full nephrectomy in December 2023.

She said: "To get to Oxford I had to leave my house at 6am and come back at 3pm, which was far from convenient.

"I am very happy to now access my dialysis treatment at Whitehouse Health Centre.

"It makes such a positive difference to me and other patients like me."

Milton Keynes University Hospital personnel will provide diagnostic services at Whitehouse Health Centre for patients in the city and surrounding areas.

Mark Holloway, chief estates and facilities officer at Oxford University Hospitals said: “Our expanded service will be transformative for this patient group. We are always looking for ways to enhance patient care and experience, so we are delighted that the new unit is up and running."

Councillor Pete Marland, leader of Milton Keynes City Council, added: "As our city continues to grow, it’s critical that we provide the services people need within Milton Keynes, with the city council committed to funding, building and working with partners to bring forward new facilities."