Welsh Health Minister, Edwina Hart, will today (Thursday) visit a new renal dialysis unit at Withybush Hospital and meet patients and staff benefiting from the new local facilities.

The unit opened in December last year with the ability to treat 12 patients. Since then a dozen more stations have opened and 24 patients can be accommodated .

The provision of this temporary unit is part of a phased development that will see a permanent dialysis unit open on the Withybush Hospital site by March 2011. Previously dialysis patients would have had to undertake regular and often lengthy journeys out of Pembrokeshire to Carmarthen for treatment. Many patients now have the opportunity to undergo treatment locally at the new unit, although some will continue to have their renal dialysis in Carmarthen.

"The new interim unit enables patients to benefit from improved services until the permanent facility is built," said Edwina Hart.

"Having this facility in Pembrokeshire will greatly improve the care for patients locally and reduce the need to travel, which will not only improve their health but also their quality of life.

"I am committed to improving renal services across Wales. The draft budget set aside for renal dialysis expansion this year is £6.8m.

"However, for many patients receiving dialysis the best option would be a transplant so we will continue to support the Kidney Foundation Wales-led Donate Wales Tell a Loved One campaign which raises awareness of the importance of signing up to the organ donation register.

"The campaign also emphasises the need for people to discuss their wishes with friends and family."

Hywel Dda NHS Trust's Chairman Chris Martin said: "We are delighted that plans for a permanent dialysis unit for Pembrokeshire patients are progressing and that in the meantime, patients can be treated in the temporary unit."

For photos and coverage of the Health Minister's visit log on later or pick up a copy of next week's Western Telegraph.