It is due to open in February next year but renal patients were recently given a sneak peak at how work on their new unit at Withybush Hospital is coming along.

The £7.5million state of the art unit will have 21 bays for renal patients travelling from across the county.

Two groups of patients and their families were able have a first viewing inside the building and see first hand the progress made.

Alex Cottrell, visitor to the new renal unit said: “The new Renal Unit looked excellent when we visited it.

“It really benefits other patients. I attended the meetings beforehand and we were really listened to and involved. They have listened to the patients and how they feel in the environment they are treated in.

“The design and presentation have all been taken into account and things like having the nurses station in the middle makes a difference.

“Even down to the colours and the beach theme which all makes a difference when you are there for up to five hours being treated.”

Project lead, Martin Thomas, said: “The building work on the unit is progressing well, it is now water and weather tight and on schedule to open next year.

“We are consulting with renal patients and support groups such as Pembrokeshire Access Group throughout the process and this has led to enhancements in patient facilities. The development is all about making dialysis patients experience more comfortable and their input has been invaluable.”

The new unit will replace the current six bay facility which is located in temporary buildings at the back of the hospital site and will remove the need for patients to travel outside of Pembrokeshire for dialysis.

The traffic flow to and through the hospital site has been improved as part of the development with an increase in car parking spaces.

A new roundabout at the front of the hospital is the first of four phases on the external site as part of the development.