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ADAPTATIONS OF HOMES FOR RENAL DIALYSIS
Hospital authorities provide and maintain the kidney machines for the use of patients in
their own homes. The homes are converted by the Council and a charge is made according
to the Council's assessment scheme. In cases where the applicant is found unable to contribute,
the installation is made free of charge.
By the end of the year 5 homes were adapted, all privately owned homes. The earliest
adaptation took place in October 1969 and the most recent in May 1970. One additional
conversion was stated at the end of 1971.
For this purpose, one room, usually a bedroom, has been converted to take the necessary
equipment. This includes a sink and special shelving to hold a month's supply of concentrated
fluid used for dialysis and sterile dressings. Floors are made water-proof, and walls and ceilings
easily washable. The room is further equipped with a telephone paid by the hospital authorities to
enable the patient to contact the hospital in case of any difficulty during dialysis.
By the end of the year, one district nurse had been specially trained at Kings College
Hospital to assist patients with problems of home dialysis.
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