After being virtually abandoned five years ago, OCTAGON HOUSE, the former headquarters of United Utilities on Hathersage Road, is experiencing a new lease of life, with the new Central Manchester NHS Renal Dialysis Satellite Unit having opened its doors there at the end of July.

Occupying much of the ground floor, the dedicated unit, which consists of 35 state-of-the-art dialysis stations together with 6 isolation rooms, has been totally purpose-designed to provide a spacious and modern environment for dialysis patients, with easy access, dedicated car parking and ambulance drop-off. The unit is capable of treating up to 40 dialysis patients each day and has a separate 15-station area for training patients on home dialysis or to be self-caring in a more independent environment.

The facility is co-managed by Fresenius Medical Care, the country’s largest specialist dialysis service provider. Its proximity to Manchester Royal Infirmary makes it an ideal location for the specialist NHS renal medical and nursing team to provide the clinical care to patients who attend three times a week for treatment.

Dr Leonard Ebah, Consultant Nephrologist and Clinical Head of Specialist Medicine at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This community dialysis unit is an exciting new development and part of a wider project to provide care closer to home and in a non-hospital environment for our dialysis patients. We believe that it’s a major step in driving forward and transforming the high quality dialysis service we provide to patients.”

Once providing employment for over 600 people, the Octagon building and site became vacant in 2013 when it was purchased by property developer Richard Everton. “We acquired the site with a vision that its future would be associated with medical research and technological innovation in the burgeoning life sciences sector of the city, all directly linked with or related to existing local healthcare institutions, such as the MRI. The fact that the NHS chose the location endorses that belief to be well founded.”

The rest of building, which is undergoing substantial remodelling and refurbishment, will be available for letting, in suites ranging from 2,500 sq.ft. to full open-plan floors, later this year.

Steve added, “We are confident that this unique location will attract many more businesses in the healthcare sector, creating substantial employment opportunities and contributing to the economic upsurge of this area of the city”.