"From Kidney disease via home dialysis to..."

Referred to consultant ages ago by GP.

Various tests (biopsy, heart, etc).

Regularly seen at outpatients’ clinic in Cheltenham (very handy).

Eventually put onto home dialysis which went very well and was prepared to be on it for some time but after six months a kidney came up.

Treatment at Southmead (who do this trust's transplants) was excellent.

Took some time to be "repatriated" to Gloucester but that is because this trust cannot (at present) afford to support post-transplant patients for at least six months which means driving up and down the motorway a few times a week which is tiresome as far as I am concerned.

Now I am repatriated, support remains excellent, as is my new kidney.

Nothing but praise for the staff.

Of course their budget is stretched but as the Tories assured us, "the NHS is safe in their hands" and I believe them.