We are proud to announce the opening of our brand new, purpose-built renal centre in Blackburn, North West England.

The renal centre has been named after Dr Laurie Solomon, the longest serving nephrologist for East Lancashire, who recently celebrated 50 years with the NHS.

While its official launch took place on 1 September 2022, the Laurie Solomon Renal Centre opened its doors to patients on 15 August 2022, to allow for the seamless transition of patients from previous locations. It replaces the Accrington renal unit, which has now closed, and its staff & patients transferred the new Blackburn renal centre.

Providing care, True care to our patients.
The first of our clinics in the UK to be built from the ground up, our new clinic is comprised of 24 dialysis stations, outpatient and virtual consultation facilities. It has been designed with patient comfort and safety as its main priorities, and includes:

  • a Minimal Care area, designated specifically for patients who want the  flexibility of “dropping in” to undertake their dialysis treatment independently, without the need for nursing assistance
  • a Self-Care area, which encourages patients who wish to learn how to carry  out aspects of their own dialysis treatment, under the supervision of a caregiver; and
  • support for patients that want to manage their treatment at home

Clinic staff also have access to improved facilities.

Commenting on the new renal centre, Lisa Jordan, Managing Director for Diaverum UK said: “Our patients are with us for many hours each week, so it is important that they receive treatment in a safe and comfortable environment.

"The Laurie Solomon Renal Centre, like all our new East Lancashire Renal Centres, has been designed to provide enough clinic room capacity to allow dialysis and outpatient appointments, trainings and virtual consultation facilities to take place in the same building. It offers maximum accessibility for service users.

“We are honoured to be able to name this new centre after Dr Solomon, and to have him at this opening ceremony to perform the ribbon cutting.

"The Trust and Patients were involved in the designing of the new renal centre, to ensure the unit meets their needs, and we are pleased to have them in their new and permanent facility. I would like to thank everyone involved in the
project”.

Dr Solomon, who is a renal consultant based at Royal Preston Hospital, said he was surprised to be asked if the centre could be named after him, but agreed after receiving encouragement from his family.

He said: “I am flattered to have it named after me. It was unexpected, but very pleasing. My family are very proud. 

“It is a magnificent centre. I'm not given to hyperbole, but it is state-of-the-art. One important benefit is that it is not just a dialysis centre. There is an outpatient facility that can be used for all aspects of kidney disease and kidney transplantation.  

“Diaverum and the Trust should be congratulated on the building design, which offers a pleasant place for patients to be treated and staff to work.”

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Chief Executive Kevin McGee said:

“Laurie’s 50 years of NHS service is a remarkable commitment to the NHS and our patients.   He has been instrumental in leading and improving care for people with kidney disease in East Lancashire. We thought a fitting tribute would be naming this absolutely magnificent centre after him. 

"Patients were involved in designing the new facilities and worked closely with the Trust and Diaverum throughout the project".

A patient who has been on dialysis for almost 35 years, lives just a few minutes away from the new Renal Centre. He previously had to travel to Accrington for dialysis sessions. 

He said: “We have been waiting a long time for this centre. Today we have seen the result, and we’re very happy.” 

Also in attendance at the opening event were Patient Advocates, Partners, Patient families, friends and Carers as well as Salim Mulla, the former Mayor of Blackburn.