The dialysis unit is one of 12 units being launched across the North of England as part of a national scheme to cope with a massive increase in kidney problems.

Bassetlaw will have one of the area’s biggest dialysis units with a capacity for about 120 patients a week.

Hospital manager Mary Mitchell is delighted about the new facilities which are predicted to be up and running by May 2009: “Renal dialysis has never been available to Bassetlaw patients on their doorstep before.”

“This is an example of the changing ways in which healthcare can be delivered,” she said.

“Advances in technology mean that some services that used to be only in teaching hospitals and specialist centres can now be provided locally.”

“Likewise some hospital services can be provided out in the community, bringing specialist healthcare even closer to where patients live.”

The units, which will be built at the rear of the nursery at the Kilton Hill hospital, will be set up by an independent provider, Fresenius, alongside the NHS.

Patients will be under the care of consultant nephrologists - renal experts - in the NHS but those suffering with stable end-stage renal failure will be able to benefit from facilities in the private sector.

Christine Houghton, managing director at Fresenius, said: “We are honoured to have been chosen to work with the NHS to manage this innovative renal services programme.”

“We now have an outstanding opportunity to improve capacity for haemodialysis patients in the UK and provide easier access to services.”

The Government’s plan is to set up a number of dialysis units across the UK to meet the increased number of people requiring dialysis.

Numbers are rising both because problems are being diagnosed earlier and as lifestyle issues - such as obesity - are causing more kidney problems.

Dr Ian Stott, consultant nephrologist at Bassetlaw said: “Opening the renal dialysis unit at Bassetlaw Hospital will be a real bonus for local patients.”

“People with renal failure may, typically, need dialysis three times a week for up to five hours at a time.”

“Having this facility on the doorstep means that, on top of long treatment times, they are spared additional travelling time to Doncaster or Sheffield.”

Louise Newcombe, chief executive of Bassetlaw PCT and chairman of the North Trent Renal Unit, added to the praise of the new facilities, saying: “It’s superb news for patients who will now be able to receive care much closer to home.”

“It’s one of the biggest units of its kind in the area.”