NHS Borders’ board has given approval for the enlargement, which is scheduled to open in summer 2011.

The project, the result of capital investment of £2.12million, will create a self-contained unit, doubling the size of the existing bays from six to 12 and will offer a maximum capacity of 72 patients. The expansion will also create additional facilities, including treatment and consultant rooms, a dedicated nursing station and a patient waiting area.

Kidney consultant Wendy Metcalfe said the expansion of the unit is excellent news for the local community. “Unfortunately, the need for haemodialysis, to treat chronic renal failure, continues to grow locally and across the UK.

“Patients may be elderly and may have other health issues, and providing treatment in a purpose-built facility close to home makes a difficult time easier for patients and their families. This new expanded unit will be equipped to meet this demand for Borders patients.”

Lillian Cerasoli, founder and chairperson of the Borders Kidney Patients’ Trust, commented: “This facility will be fantastic for patients and will add much to their quality of life. Without a local facility, Borders patients would have to travel to Edinburgh, adding even more time to a long process.

“Haemodialysis is required three times a week, for about four hours a session. So offering better care locally will make a huge difference to the lives of renal patients in the Borders.”

The expansion of the unit is also being support by a fundraising appeal, which aims to realise £120,000 for a range of additional enhancements to the unit for patients.

Chairing the appeal is local businessman and ex-dialysis patient James Marjoribanks.

He told us: “It’s excellent that we’re expanding and are able to treat Borders patients locally. We are also delighted to be working in conjunction with a number of partners, including the Rotary clubs of the Borders, to help secure our appeal target.

“Patients and staff in the unit will have maximum input into how the appeal funds are spent to ensure that we make their time in spent on dialysis as comfortable as possible.”

The Borders Dialysis Unit operates as a satellite of the NHS Lothian Dialysis Service for patients within the Borders who require haemodialysis. The unit, which was opened in 2001, has six dialysis stations currently running at full capacity and treats 36 patients per week.

However, the unit can only provide places to people who do not require medical support during their dialysis session. This means that some Borders patients, those needing more specialist care, have to travel to Edinburgh for their dialysis.