Most people need a break from time to time, and kidney patients are no exception!

Holidays are a great way to reinforce the fact that you can still enjoy the good things in life as a kidney patient - and they also provide a welcome break for carers.

Business travel is also a common requirement of many jobs nowadays, and again there is often no reason why kidney patients should not be able to make business trips from time to time - either in the UK, or abroad.

For most patients - whatever therapy they are on - travel and holidays will be actively encouraged by the medical team, who will help with the arrangements. Of course it is essential that you check with your renal unit before planning or booking anything - even if you have had a transplant you will still need a letter from the unit confirming you are fit to travel (in order to secure travel insurance) and advice on immunisation.

Travel for kidney patients on dialysis does require more planning, so last minute bookings are not a realistic option. However, the limitations in terms of where you can take a holiday and what sort of holiday you can take are probably far fewer than you would imagine. There is also plenty of help available to assist with the planning process and to help make sure you have a holiday to remember for all the right reasons - see other Swindon patients' holiday experiences for inspiration!

Global Dialysis

Thanks to the SKPA for the recent purchase of the new Global Dialysis Directory. The directory contains 14,500 dialysis centres in 154 countries - from Albania to Zimbabwe. It includes contact information, web addresses, some information from previous visitors and a few photos.

The directory must remain in the Unit, but makes interesting reading for dialysis sessions!

The Global Dialysis website includes some additional details and updates which can be checked prior to booking.

Ask Julie or another staff member if you would like to browse the directory.

What to ask of a Dialysis Unit before booking

Before selecting an overseas or UK clinic for your holiday dialysis, you are advised to call the chosen hospital/unit to ask:

Do they accept visitors?

Specify the date you would like to go

(If in the European Union) Are they a state run hospital or a private clinic?

Will there be a charge? If so how much per dialysis session? (no need for UK dialysis)

Do they accept form EHIC 'European Health Insurance Card' (replacing the old E111) for dialysis? (no need for UK dialysis)

Do the staff speak english

Do they accept patients who have tested positive for Hepatitis, HIV or Aids? (It is not recommended that you dialyse in a unit which accepts these patients)

If you are satisfied with the answers and wish to proceed ask to help you make the necessary arrangements.

The Six Counties Kidney Patients Association (SCKPA) currently has a caravan sited at the Cobbs Holiday Park at Highcliffe which is available for rental by SCKPA members.

The weekly rental is just £150 for patients and £300 for non-patient members. More information is always available in the quarterly Viva! magazine, which you can pick up from the renal unit if you have lost your copy.

The SCKPA can sometimes provide financial assistance for members if necessary. Please contact Wendy for more information.

The Swindon Renal Unit is pleased to be available again for visiting patients!

Please ensure that a space is available and booked with the Unit Manager, Julie Witts, by contacting the unit - see Contacts.

Useful Dialysis Holiday Links

Global Dialysis - really useful for dialysis patients who want to travel

Holiday Dialysis International - Part of the Fresenius Medical Care Group

Lakeland Dialysis - Dialysis available for Lake District holidays

Freedom Apartments - ABTA-bonded. Organising dialysis holidays for 17 yrs

ENVY Travel - Turkish Riviera

Medicare Holidays - A Dutch travel company based on the Costa del Sol

Scottish Holiday Dialysis

European dialysis centres - rather out of date