A WOMAN has to endure 12 hours of travel a week to get lifesaving dialysis because no nearby hospital has room for her.
Carol Rusack, 63, of Recreation Road, Clacton, has to travel to London – a 150-mile round-trip – three times a week to receive her treatment.
A dialysis unit was supposed to open in Kennedy House, Great Clacton, last spring, but is still not operational.
Her husband Klaus said the long distances on top of the treatment takes its toll.
Mr Rusack said: “There is no space in Colchester or Ipswich.
“Carol has to get up at 4.30am on the days of her treatment. She is then picked up by people from the Royal London Hospital.
“It takes two hours to get there, she spends four hours on the dialysis machine, then two hours home.
“It takes up the whole day and it is very stressful. It is also very restrictive.
“Because the hospital picks her up, I can’t go with her and be supportive.
“We have to take it in our stride because it is saving her life, but it is disappointing there is nothing closer.”
Mrs Rusack was hoping to be able to use new renal dialysis facilities at Clacton. The introduction of a unit offering dialysis treatment at Kennedy House, in Kennedy Way, was announced in 2009 and the new unit was supposed to open in spring 2010.
Complications with building work delayed the project and it is still not operational.
Janice Rowe spearheaded the campaign to get the unit.
She said: “I’m appalled at the delay.
“As far as I know all the equipment is in there waiting but not being used.”
A spokesman for NHS north east Essex said the delays were mainly due to changes in NHS policy and legislation.
He said: “We are optimistic this situation can be resolved in the near future and it is hoped we will be able to open the Clacton unit in the next 12 months.”
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