THE latest in a line of improved specialist centres for dialysis patients in South Wales has been opened in Pontypool.

The Welsh Government’s health secretary Vaughan Gething was on hand to officially open the new facility on Mamhilad Park Estate yesterday.

It becomes the third in a number of improved centres provided by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CVUHB) which will support around 500 people using the service.

A similar centre was opened in Newport’s Cleppa Park to replace the dialysis unit that had been in place at St Woolos Hospital.

The new centres will mean improved facilities for patients, providing improved care closer to home and a better nurse to patient ratio.

Mark Jones, directorate manager for nephrology and transplant at CVUHB, said the service had previously been provided in areas that were not ideal for patients.

“These new facilities have been designed with patients and our other partners and are a big improvement on what we’ve been able to provide in the past,” he said.

“As well as improving the environment for patients this work also means we can provide care to them closer to home.

“This approach is also in line with Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, our 10 year strategy, which aims provide care closer to home wherever possible.”

Both the Pontypool and Newport units are run and staffed by pharmaceuticals firm BBraun on behalf of the health board.

According to Mr Jones, the company has recruited a “significant number” of new nursing staff to join the set-up.

He added: “The centre will also provide refreshments for patients when they are undergoing dialysis which is something that patients have told us is very important to them. We could not have achieved all of this without the support of our partners in the Welsh Renal Clinical Network.”

Dr Kieron Donovan, consultant nephrologist at CVUHB, said the new centre was a boost for patients and staff.

He added: “The standout feature is the space and the accommodation. We have more nurses per patient. The transformation is amazing.”