The dialysis unit at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital got ten televisions on Tuesday to help patients pass the time while receiving kidney treatment.

The televisions provide a welcome distraction for the dialysis patients the Bermuda Hospitals Board release said.

KEMH staff members at the dialysis unit raised enough money to buy five TV?s from their ?Kidney Patients in Action? event.

Dialysis patient and member of ?Kidney Patients in Action?, Amanda Dill said that ?as a patient hooked up to a dialysis machine, it is wonderful to be able to watch a television programme or video to keep our minds off our treatment?.

The televisions can also play videos, that patients are encouraged to bring from home.

Staff will also use the new videos to educate patients on kidney care.

Approximately 80 patients attend the unit three times a week and are hooked up to a dialysis machine for three to five hours. Patients normally remain on dialysis until new kidney?s become available for transplant.

KEMH received another TV from D.E. Mortimor & Co. Ltd. which was installed in the isolation area designated for infectious patients on dialysis.

But the MarketPlace bought five more television sets for the unit.

They also arranged for the order and delivery of all ten sets to KEMH.

Scott Carswell Vice President of the MarketPlace said that ?as a company focused on people and family, we were more than happy to donate (the TV?s).?

KEMH Medical Programme Manager Norma Smith said ?a number of staff and community members were involved in this initiative. We are especially grateful for the Marketplace?s participation. Not only did they provide us with an additional five TV?s, but they also went the extra mile in ordering and delivering them to us. The generosity shown by all supporters will be forever appreciated by the patients of the dialysis unit?.