Campaign group has 'lost confidence' in health board over Oban dialysis unit 'broken promise'

"Oban does not have a kidney dialysis machine," explains the group Kidney Dialysis for Oban on its website obankidneydialysis.org.uk.

"This means that the people in Oban who require dialysis have to travel long distances three times a week, 52 weeks a year, for treatment, just to keep them alive. 

"We are campaigning for the NHS to provide a dialysis unit in the Lorn and Islands Hospital. We firmly believe that a town the size of Oban desperately needs this, as soon as possible."

This month the lead for the organisation, Dave Alsop from the Isle of Seil, submitted a vote of no confidence in Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership.

Mr Alsop said: "It was September/October when it was agreed that a review board would be set up to look specifically at kidney dialysis units in Argyll, and since then I have been extremely patient and sat on my hands, with the understanding that this commitment would be delivered by the beginning of January as agreed.

"The timeline for this review is being extended yet again - I was informed that everything would be in place for a prompt start beginning of January but yet again this can has been kicked down the road. This is not acceptable and requires addressing urgently.

"Dialysis patients are still suffering the consequences of being moved around the country, bundled together in private taxis, which is not conducive to patient health, especially with Covid and flu being so prevalent at the moment.

"Since the turn of the year, kidney dialysis patients from the Oban area have already covered nearly 1,000 miles each in order to receive treatment, a procedure which could easily be performed within their own area no more than a few miles from their homes.

"I have already been contacted by two patients who have taken the option not to dialysis, as they are of the opinion that travelling these distances to obtain treatment is not a ’great quality of life’ and would rather face the consequences, which of course will be death.

"There appears to be no urgency," Mr Alsop added. "The NHS has a duty of care for their patients and this is not happening. When is someone going to take this situation seriously?"

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute HSCP said: "We recognise that travelling to access specialised hospital dialysis treatment is challenging for remote and rural communities. 

"The HSCP has arrangements in place to support this group of patients with travel, including in instances when someone has an infection and cannot travel with other patients. We are happy to discuss travel arrangements further with anyone who may require assistance.  

"In response to the campaign to set up an additional dialysis unit in Oban, the HSCP carried out a patient needs assessment last year and agreed in September 2024 to undertake a review of haemodialysis services for the population of Argyll and Bute, with a view to start this work in January 2025. This and the indicative timelines have been communicated to the Integration Joint Board and interested groups.

"Oversight of the board is essential in ensuring we appropriately prioritise the significant number of projects we undertake each year through our planning team. We apologise that meeting dates have not been finalised yet. 

"Work has progressed on identifying appropriate representatives for the review group and we will update the campaign group and other relevant stakeholders as soon as possible."