KIDNEY dialysis patients have been left “shocked and dismayed” at plans to force them to change their treatment unit.

The group of around 25 Dorset residents, who currently go to KC Dialysis in Southbourne, are set to have their vital care moved to a different unit in Bournemouth or Poole.

Julian Campbell, who lives in Christchurch, requires dialysis three times a week and has settled into a treatment routine at KC Dialysis for more than two years.

Mr Campbell, 87, spends around £4,500 a year in taxi fares to get to his appointments as he says he does not have confidence in the hospital transport service. He said if he is forced to go to Poole he will not be able to afford the costs, while a switch to Royal Bournemouth Hospital presents challenges with different time slots at an already packed unit.

“Poole would be out of the question for cost and Bournemouth is always full,” said Mr Campbell. “We like the arrangement we have and it suits us. It will make quite a considerable difference to us.

“The staff at KC are excellent. Dialysis is never something you will look forward to, but KC is the best possible place for us. All of us want to stay at KC and we can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t.”

A petition calling for the plan to be scrapped signed by the patients says: “As patients receiving regular dialysis at KC Dialysis Unit Southbourne, we are all shocked and dismayed that the KC franchise is being withdrawn from this September.”

Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope raised concerns to Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

A spokesperson for the trust, which provides Dorset’s dialysis service, said KC Dialysis was contracted to treat the group on a “temporary basis” until additional long-term capacity could be provided at Bournemouth and Poole.

They said this additional space had now been achieved.

“Initially we will be increasing the use of the Poole unit but once we have completed some work in our Bournemouth unit to upgrade the facilities we will be able to accommodate more patients there,” said the spokesperson.

“We appreciate that the group of patients currently using the Southbourne facility have become used to the unit and have established a close network.

“Our priority is making the transition to another unit as positive as possible for them and ensuring they are fully supported.

“We have held two open meetings with patients and are offering one-to-one meetings in the next couple of weeks.

“All patients will continue to receive transport to and from their dialysis appointments.”

Despite the planned changes for Dorset residents, KC Dialysis will continue to provide its service for patients holidaying in the area.