STAFF at Plymouth's new dialysis unit have welcomed a glowing report by independent inspectors.

Health watchdog the Care Quality Commission carried out an unannounced visit to the Plymouth Dialysis Unit in Estover in December.

They found the centre, which moved from Derriford Hospital to a purpose-built unit last summer, was meeting all standards.

The inspectors' report noted all of the patients spoken to were complimentary about the staff and the care they received.

Unit manager Anca Ichim said: "We are delighted with our new unit and we are really pleased that the patients are so happy with the care with give here.

"I am supported by a wonderful team and I would like to thank them and everyone involved, from many teams outside of our unit, for helping us provide really good care."

Ann Cornelius, matron for general surgery and renal, said: "I am very proud of the unit sister and her nursing team and the results they have achieved. They have moved a very busy dialysis unit to a new location and an unannounced inspection has given them an outstanding report. The patients who were involved in the visit spoke very highly of the unit and its staff and we were extremely delighted to read their responses to the inspectors."

The Care Quality Commission carried out the visit in December as part of a routine schedule of reviews. They checked records, observed how people were being cared for, talked to staff and to people who use the dialysis service.

Patient comments included: "All the staff are excellent, very professional and efficient. It was a good service when we were at the hospital but the new unit has made it even better."

Another commented: "We were involved from the beginning about the move to this new unit. They asked us about what we wanted and this has happened."

Helen O'Shea, interim chief executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the unit, said: "This report confirms everything I have heard and felt when I have been to the unit myself. It is a home from home for many patients who spend up to 15 hours there per week and it is gratifying to know that they feel it meets their needs."

The new Plymouth Dialysis Unit provides outpatient haemodialysis, education and dialysis training to patients with advanced kidney failure who are living in Plymouth, East Cornwall, North and South Devon.