The dialysis group president Dugald Mitchell said the group was delighted with the draft plans.

“In the plan four chairs will be initially provided for the treatment of dialysis patients, and as each patient needs to have treatment three times a week, that means that 16 patients can be serviced,” he said.

“However, we believe, because of the patient numbers that the group have gathered, there may be more patients than 16 in the not too distant future. So it is very pleasing that the plan has been drawn up in such a way as to add another four chairs when it becomes obvious that they are needed.

“This will mean that those patients who are currently travelling to Canberra or Queanbeyan three times a week will in a few months, once the unit is completed, be treated in Cooma.

“It will also make things much easier for those patients who are using the current Cooma facility for self-dialysising, and give relief to families and the “buddies” who are always there helping these patients,.

Mr Mitchell thanked the state member for Monaro John Barilaro and the many people in the community and in Southern Health who have helped achieve this result.

“We look forward to the building commencement.” Mr Mitchell said.

The Monaro regional renal dialysis group have been campaigning tirelessly for a number of years for a renal dialysis unit in Cooma and $1 million dollars was provided by the state government prior to the state election last year for the unit.

For further information contact Dugald Mitchell 6452 3424.

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