The renal unit at Antrim Area Hospital provides around 1,450 dialysis sessions every month, according to information presented to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board.

Damien McLaughlin, nurse in charge of the 20-station facility, told board members that capacity is a daily challenge. Antrim is the only renal unit in Northern Ireland still operating an evening “twilight” dialysis session.

Originally designed for patients who work or study during the day, the twilight session has been retained while other units have closed theirs. This means some patients do not return home until as late as 1am.

By comparison, the renal unit at Belfast City Hospital has 40 stations and delivers between 1,500 and 1,600 sessions each month.

The Northern Trust serves a large geographical area covering Antrim and Newtownabbey, Mid and East Antrim, Causeway Coast and Glens, and Mid Ulster. Patients travel from distances such as Castlerock for treatment, with some leaving home as early as 5.30am.

Around 60 patients attend the unit each day. Coordinating treatment and transport requires significant organisation and logistics.

Newtownabbey woman Jackie Dawson attends the Antrim unit three times a week, leaving home at about 6.30am. She was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2022. Her condition progressed to requiring dialysis three times each week.

Dawson praised the staff, saying they are the best nurses, doctors and consultants she has encountered. Her daughter Leanne said the support from patients and staff has been fantastic.

Transport to and from the unit is a major challenge, involving a huge amount of organisation.