Doing more with dialysis: A renewed patient experience

HN Summary

• SHN’s largest dialysis redevelopment added 23 treatment stations across Centenary and General hospitals, expanding capacity and improving comfort, privacy and safety.• 

• Patients helped evaluate new dialysis equipment, with patient Scott Spence-Lee reporting less fatigue and more energy after treatment.

• Upgraded units feature stronger infection prevention measures, dedicated isolation spaces and sustainable water-recycling technology.

For the thousands of patients who receive dialysis through Scarborough Health Network’s (SHN) Regional Nephrology Program each year, it is more than a simple treatment, it is a way of life. By medical definition, dialysis means the process of artificially filtering toxins and waste from the blood when the kidneys no longer can. For patients who require or prefer dialysis in a hospital setting, it means spending several hours, multiple times each week away from home receiving treatment, without which they risk losing their energy, mental clarity, and longevity of life. The dialysis unit becomes a constant setting in their lives, and that setting should reflect the compassion, patience, and exceptional quality care patients deserve during treatment.

For 70-year-old Scott Spence-Lee, who has lived with kidney failure since 2018, the impact of these experiences is something he lives every week. SHN sought to improve the care experience for patients like Scott through a major redevelopment.

As part of our journey to Build It Forward to better meet the needs of our community now and into the future, we completed the largest dialysis redevelopment in SHN’s history. The multi-year projects included the creation of a brand-new, modern dialysis unit at Centenary Hospital and the expansion and renovation of the existing dialysis unit at General Hospital. Together, these projects have added 23 new treatment stations, increased capacity to meet growing community needs, and created modern care environments designed around comfort, privacy, dignity, and safety.

A new chapter in dialysis care

Scott’s journey with kidney disease began when he spent three weeks in hospital and learned he was experiencing kidney failure.

“It was a shock,” Scott recalled. “I was diagnosed at SHN, and eventually my care team determined that dialysis was the next step.”

After receiving training on dialysis equipment and beginning regular treatment, Scott became familiar with the routine that accompanies life-sustaining dialysis care. Earlier this year, he was one of the first patients to transition into SHN’s new dialysis unit at Centenary Hospital, located on the first floor of the Margaret Birch Wing.

The patient-centred unit features 21 dialysis stations, enhanced infection prevention and control measures, environmentally sustainable water-recycling systems, and a flexible design that can evolve alongside future advances in dialysis care.

“The new space is more private, more modern, and much more conducive to receiving treatment. It is a comforting space,” Scott said. “I love my nurses and care team. They work as a real team and make you feel part of it. They’re always available, they make me feel welcome, and they encourage you to ask questions.”

But for Scott, the effects of the new and improved dialysis unit extended beyond the space itself. One of the most significant improvements has been the introduction of the modern, innovatively designed B. Braun Dialog IQ hemodialysis machines. Patients, including Scott, played an active role in evaluating and testing equipment before it was selected, helping ensure the technology reflected real-world needs and preferences. Scott felt the difference right away.

“With this newer technology, you finish your treatment and immediately get your mojo back,” Scott shared. “Before, when I finished dialysis I was so tired and had trouble focusing. Now, when I get home after dialysis, I can still do things.”

The difference has been noticeable to his family as well.

“My eldest daughter said I’m better because I can spend more time with my family now and don’t sleep as much as I used to. I move around more. I can play with my grandson more.”

The upgraded technology also helps deliver more consistent treatment, even when common challenges, like blockages in the blood-filtering tubes, arise during dialysis sessions. Combined with the purposefully designed treatment environment, these improvements are helping patients feel better supported both during and after their care.

Designed around the patient experience

At SHN, patient experience was a central consideration throughout the dialysis redevelopment process.

“Clinical care is shaped not only by the treatment itself, but also by the setting in which it is provided,” said Dr. Paul Tam, Medical Director and Chief of Nephrology at SHN. “Our patients often spend many hours each week receiving dialysis, making it essential that the environment supports their comfort, privacy, and well-being. These upgraded facilities will allow us to combine leading-edge technology with a patient-centred approach.”

The redevelopment has transformed care across both hospitals. At General Hospital, the renovated TD Hemodialysis Isolation Unit includes newly modernized treatment areas and dedicated segregation treatment rooms designed to better support medically vulnerable patients while enhancing infection prevention and control.

At Centenary Hospital, the entirely new Ted Rogers Hemodialysis unit provides a welcoming and accessible environment designed to improve both patient and staff experiences while expanding SHN’s ability to meet the growing demand for kidney care services in Scarborough.

“These redevelopment initiatives are creating modern care environments designed with accessibility, safety, and patient experience in mind,” shared Ethel Macatangay, Director, Nephrology and Chronic Disease Management at SHN. “By investing in advanced technology and purpose-built spaces, we are strengthening our capacity to deliver exceptional, compassionate care and meet the evolving needs of our community for years to come.”

Looking ahead

While dialysis remains an essential part of his routine, Scott feels reassured knowing he is receiving care in a unit designed with patients at its centre, in a hospital that is dedicated to investing in its patients’ future.

“When you come to SHN, you feel the compassion and the genuine care,” he shared. “The staff, the equipment, the environment—it all makes a difference. I’m grateful to be receiving my treatment here.”

As SHN continues to Build It Forward, stories like Scott’s demonstrate how investments in modern facilities, innovative technology, and patient-centred care can help patients not only receive treatment, but live more fully beyond it.

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