Kidney dialysis
We provide a first-class kidney dialysis service for people whose kidneys have stopped working properly.
Treatment overview
Kidney dialysis is a treatment that removes waste products and excess salt, potassium and fluid from your blood.
Your consultant may recommend you start dialysis if your kidneys have stopped working properly.
At The London Clinic, we offer two types of kidney dialysis: haemodialysis (the most common type of dialysis) and peritoneal dialysis.
The dialysis unit at our hospital is a welcoming and relaxing space that features the latest dialysis machines.
We also have a team of kidney specialists and renal nurses who will provide you with world-class treatment and personalised care.
Our aim is always to make sure you have an exceptional experience with us and the best quality of life.
Contact us to find out about our kidney dialysis service and start your five-star treatment journey today.
Treatment options
Kidney dialysis is the main treatment we offer for chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.
Your consultant may also recommend one or more of the following treatments, depending on your age and health and how serious your illness is:
- Diet and lifestyle modifications
- Erythropoietin (EPO) injections
- Kidney transplant
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us. To help you manage the cost, we also offer a 0% finance option, allowing you to spread the payments for your treatment over 12 months with no added interest. Learn more about our finance options here.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have 0% finance options available with Chrysalis. Find out more here.
FAQs
There are two main types of dialysis: haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. They work in different ways.
Haemodialysis
Before you first have haemodialysis, you’ll need minor surgery to create access to your bloodstream. This will be done in one of three ways:
Fistula – an artery and vein are joined together under your skin which can usually be used for many years.
Graft – a plastic tube is used to join an artery and vein under your skin which can usually be used for a few years.
Catheter – a flexible tube is put into a large vein in your neck or next to your groin which is usually used for a short time.
During haemodialysis, a tube is attached to a needle in your arm where the fistula or graft is located.
Blood passes along the tube into a dialysis machine (also known as a haemodialyser).
The dialyser acts like an artificial kidney and filters out waste, salt and excess fluid in your blood.
Your filtered blood is then passed through another tube and back into your body through a second needle in your arm.
Or if a catheter is used, your blood passes both into and back from the dialysis machine via this tube.
Haemodialysis is usually carried out three or four days a week. Each session lasts around four hours.
Peritoneal dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis uses the inside lining of your belly (the peritoneum) to clean your blood, rather than a dialysis machine.
Like the kidneys, the peritoneum contains thousands of tiny blood vessels. This makes it a good filter.
Before you first have peritoneal dialysis, a cut is made near your belly button. A thin tube is inserted through the cut and into a space inside your belly (the peritoneal cavity). This is left in place permanently.
When you have peritoneal dialysis, a special dialysis fluid is pumped through the tube and into your peritoneal cavity.
As blood passes through the blood vessels lining your peritoneal cavity, waste products and excess fluid are drawn out of the blood and into the dialysis fluid.
The used fluid is drained into a bag a few hours later and replaced with fresh fluid.
Changing the fluid usually takes about 30 minutes and normally needs to be repeated around four times a day.
For many people, haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are equally good treatments, with each having its own advantages and drawbacks.
Before you start kidney dialysis, your care team will discuss the pros and cons of each option with you to help you make the best decision.
Haemodialysis advantages
- Only required three to four days a week, leaving you with three or four days without dialysis.
Haemodialysis drawbacks
- Long treatment sessions required
- Need to make changes to what you eat and drink
- Need to take medication regularly
- May need to travel to a dialysis centre
Peritoneal dialysis advantages
- Can be done quite easily at home as well as at a hospital
- Can be sometimes done while you sleep
- Less expensive
Peritoneal dialysis drawbacks
- Needs to be done every day
- Requires permanent catheter outside of your body
Depending on the type of dialysis you have, you may experience different side effects. We will discuss these with you before treatment.
Haemodialysis side effects
- Fatigue (tired or exhausted all the time)
- Itchy skin
- Muscle cramps
- Low blood pressure, leading to sickness and dizziness
- Greater risk of sepsis (blood poisoning)
- Sleep problems
Peritoneal dialysis side effects
- Fatigue (tired or exhausted all the time)
- Infection of the peritoneum (called peritonitis)
- Hernia (part of the abdominal contents pushing through the catheter entry site)
- Weight gain