A water treatment plant is also required, as the water used in dialysis must be purified through reverse osmosis.
Such a plant needs daily checks, then there is the regular maintenance or fix-it when and if there is a problem.
Things will go wrong in this high-tech treatment, despite the very best practices.
If there were three machines, which is the usual minimum, what happens when one is down for maintenance, how many spares will be carried, what happens to a contaminated unit in the case of a client with one of the more resistant viral infections? Would such a person have access to a machine?
A unit often has two to three runs per day up to six days a week.
Where do you find staff trained in all aspects of renal dialysis?
The nursing staff cannot be pooled from other areas.
The medical specialists in the hospital are not specialists in renal care, but would be required to step up ... putting client and doctor at risk.
I think the delivery of a quality renal dialysis service in Wanganui is not going to happen for a very long time.
Would the funding of a dedicated renal dialysis transport vehicle with a driver to transport clients to and from PN be more achievable?
Clients often feel pretty wrung-out after the session and a vehicle with comfortable reclining seats would be ideal.
If such a set-up was available, organising the PN facility to have a run with Wanganui clients as a batch could go a long way to lessen the tedium of transport to and from PN.
(Abridged)
MELANIE TODD
Whanganui
Stopbanks
Over the past few weeks there have been numerous letters and articles regarding flood protection issues with Anzac Parade resident Steve Baron being particularly vocal.
I would suggest the river was there before Steve Baron chose to purchase.
In a recent Facebook item he savaged former regional councillor Bob Walker for advocating on behalf of the majority of Whanganui ratepayers against stopbanks.
One could say Mr Baron seriously defamed Mr Walker, not only to Whanganui ratepayers but millions of people worldwide.
Steve Baron was obviously in election canvassing mode should an early vacancy come up on the district council.
However, he would not be able to participate in any flood protection debate as clearly there would be a conflict of interest and a pre-determined outcome.
R PROSSER
Whanganui
River's status
Quite frankly, I am appalled at the comments in this paper by Whanganui District councillor David Bennett regarding the Whanganui River.
Iwi and the Government have worked tirelessly to create an identity for the river that will help protect something very sacred for Maori, something that sits at the heart of their being, and which some Pakeha do not understand or appear to tolerate, given the comments, jokes and jibes about the river gaining the status of a real person.
Mr Bennett's attitude is small-minded and unbecoming of someone in his role as a councillor.
His comments drive a wedge between the Maori community (who represent a quarter of Whanganui's population) and council ... something I had hoped we had moved on from since the days of Michael Laws.
STEVE BARON
Whanganui East
Review prisons
Paul Tomlinson, Lower North Regional Commissioner Department of Corrections, in his letter on prison staffing (March 24), alludes to unprecedented prisoner numbers necessitating hard-working Corrections staff being seconded to work in certain prisons.
My reply, as an honorary child welfare officer: The Department of Corrections, with prisons, continues to treat mainly the effects of crime and mop up taxpayers' money, thus starving for resources the earlier intervention agencies that treat the causes of crime.
Both Corrections and its prisons are overdue for wider scrutiny.
PAT MAGILL
Napier
