Patients preparing for a kidney transplant can now attend a specialist clinic closer to home, after Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals launched a monthly service at Doncaster Royal Infirmary on October 6.
At the clinic, patients meet a transplant surgeon for the assessment that checks whether they are fit for surgery, and any further tests forming part of that assessment will also take place in Doncaster where possible. The trusts said the aim is to assess people, wherever possible, before they need to start dialysis.
The service has also begun initial assessments for potential living donors, bringing an early stage of donation closer to families considering it.
Hospital staff said preparing for a transplant involves many appointments and tests, so holding more of them in a familiar local hospital can reduce travel time, cost and worry for patients across the area.
