Calls for more resources for Kilkenny dialysis patients

For many, a trip to the Kilkenny Dialysis Centre on Lower New Street is part of an every day week. People from across the city and county are joined by fellow patients from various parts of the South-East for one of the most challenging periods of their lives. A hurdle many find difficult to jump practically and emotionally.

Bridget Langton is no stranger to the distress that a renal failure diagnosis can have and the strenuous battle that ensues. Langton can empathise with what many patients are going through following her own battle in the 1990s and is now advocating for basic measures to be introduced to assist the care of Kilkenny patients.

Originally from Graignamanagh, she is now a prominent member in the local branch of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) and on a recent visit to Kilkenny City, she met with patients in the local dialysis unit. Her time in Kilkenny also included a well-attended meal hosted in Langton’s Hotel. The occasion brought users of the local dialysis unit, their families and transplant survivors together for a day of chat, laughs and celebration.

Both days offered Bridget an opportunity to connect with dialysis patients who may be experiencing loneliness and point them in the direction of useful assistance. 

The supports offered are wide ranging and include, counselling, visits to the charity’s holiday homes, peer support from those who have been through similar experiences as well as programmes in music and sports activities.

Although there are many dedicated staff working in the field, Bridget holds deep concerns over the lack of individual supports available to patients in Kilkenny and in centres outside the country’s five major cities, adding, there is a lack of awareness amongst local patients as to the supports the IKA can provide.

However, this is not a new problem according to the IKA Treasurer.

"I never knew until after my transplant that there was an IKA. Basically (down the country) they don’t tell people. A lot of people don’t genuinely know," she said.

The local advocate, who has been a member of the IKA since 1997, praised the hard-working staff at the local centre but feels there are every day necessities lacking which is making the dialysis experience even more difficult for some users.

Televisions that 'haven’t been working for years', biscuits no longer being served due to diabetics in the service and a heating system that dosen’t work appropriately were amongst the problems raised by users of the facility to Bridget.

"Something is wrong with the heating, the sweat was pumping off me," Bridget said, adding, "I spoke to a man in his early 80s and he said his hands and feet were cold. That kind of thing touches me. When I walked in there this morning, it was baltic cold."

Bridget, who received her kidney transplant in 1996, claimed 'patients are giving out but they don’t know what direction to go' with their concerns. The Kilkenny woman believes that despite the best efforts of people involved, basic essentials need to be available, claiming, it can be ‘cruel’ on some people and can potentially add to feelings of loneliness.

Those receiving treatment can register for support by downloading an IKA membership form and during her visit, Bridget brought this message home to people through the art of conversation, fearing brochures won’t be read and may fail to get the message home to people who can benefit from such services.

Members of the public who wish to support organ donation services can offer assistance at any time by visiting the IKA website. 

"Money donated in Kilkenny comes back to Kilkenny," said Bridget, who is anxious to address the problems encountered by users of the Kilkenny service.