Archived: City Dialysis Unit

We found effective systems in place to protect people from the risk and spread of infection and for monitoring the quality of the service that people received.

We were concerned that where people did not speak English as their first language that their consent for treatment had not always been appropriately obtained.

The people we spoke with were generally satisfied with the care and treatment they received at the unit, although some people were concerned about the impact of recent staffing changes. Comments we received about the service included: 'There is nothing you can say against it' and 'They [the staff] do their best.'

The people that we spoke with told us that staff were polite and respectful. They told us that staff would explain what they were doing. People attended the unit on a regular basis and generally knew what to expect at each visit. Most people had received dialysis at the referring hospital before they first attended. The managers told us that information about the unit and dialysis treatment was usually given there.

Some people who used the service and staff raised concerns about the current staffing levels. They told us that treatment was not always timely and that frequently treatment sessions would run past the 11.00pm closing time. People and staff also told us how there was less time for patient care following recent staffing changes. One person said 'We don't get quite as much attention as we used to do.' We did see that two new staff had been recruited and were on induction training during our visit. Staffing levels were not adequate to meet the needs of people using the service in a timely manner.