Doncaster & Bassetlaw Kidney Association donated £25,000 to help purchase 3 vascular scanners.

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Kidney Association (DaBKA) have donated £25,000 to the Renal Outpatients units at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, to help purchase 3 new vascular scanners.

 

The state-of-the-art Sonosite scanners are used in the to scan renal patients.

 

They use ultrasound technology to enable nursing staff to gain a clear view of a patient’s fistulas and or veins in order to improve needle insertions and patient experience during cannulation and blood tests.

 

A fistula is a surgical joining together of an artery and a vein to create a high-volume reservoir of blood. When needled, this allows cleaning and return of blood through a dialysis machine.

 

The 3 new scanners will be stationed in each of the Trust's dialysis units, Doncaster, Bassetlaw and Dearne Valley, meaning patients across Doncaster and Bassetlaw will see the benefits.

 

The new machines are also set to benefit staff, being much easier to use, standing at eye-level with a touch screen and having the ability to store images.

 

Vicky Fairclough and Debbie Starbuck (picturesd below) Renal Specialist Nurses at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: "This additional equipment will ensure that all of our haemodialysis and general renal patients benefit from a constant, ultrasound guided service. DaBKA are very supportive towards our quality improvement ideas and they always work tirelessly to help us provide the right assistance to our patients. We'd like to thank them for their continued support."

 

Sean Starbuck, Chairman of DaBKA, said: "We have supported the renal units at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals for over 12 years now. We'd like to thank anyone who donated, and those that have given their time over the years. We're are pleased that it will make a difference to local renal patients."


Seen above receiving the scanners on behalf of the hospital renal unit is: Dr Ian Stott, together with renal staff and some of DaBKA supporters and fundraisers and members of the DaBKA committee.

 

On behalf of DaBKA, many thanks to everyone who came along and to those who support the charity from the members and patients, everyone who has donated, done sponsored events, purchased raffle tickets or attended any of our events. 

 

We are very humbled by your support.

 

You all made this possible. 

 

Thank you x

 

Pictured above are Vicky Fairclough and Debbie Starbuck with one of the vascular scanners

In 2014, DaBKA launched an appeal to help raise funds to purchase a dedicated mobile ultrasound fistula scanner to enable Michelle Johnson, the renal vascular access nurse, to take her service to patients at the Dearne Valley (Mexbrough) and Bassetlaw (Worksop) dialysis units and also those patients on home haemodialysis. 

 

DaBKA raised over £6000 and together with a generous grant fron the British Kidney Patient Association, the scanner was purchased. 

 

 

The offical presentatiion took place on 10th March 2015 at Doncaster Royal Infirmary Renal unit. 

 

Pictured left to right: Michelle Johnson, Renal vascular nurse, Christine Spyve - DaBKA treasurer, Sean Starbuck - DaBKA Chaiman and Dr Ian Stott, Consultant Nephrologist.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who helped raise funds, it is really appreciated.