It is hoped a temporary solution to the issue of patients having to travel off the Island for dialysis treatment could be on the way.

Earlier this month, we reported how campaigner Kevin Edwards, of Harps Avenue, Minster, was frustrated his calls for equipment to be installed at Sheppey Community Hospital hadn’t moved forward in eight months.

At the moment, he and fellow sufferers have to go to other hospitals for treatment, funded by the NHS at up to £500 a day.

However, on Friday MP Gordon Henderson and Mr Edwards had a meeting with NHS England’s senior acute supplier manager, who is responsible for renal services in the south east.

Nicky Bentley explained the NHS is in the middle of a review into the provision of services in Kent to look ahead to the future and take into account an increasingly ageing population as well as the increasing level of obesity, which can lead to certain diseases.

If it is found there is a need for increased provision, she said it’s likely it will be put into north Kent somewhere, but even if it’s deemed it should be in the Swale area, it will take some turn to this around.

So as an interim solution, Mr Henderson asked if there’s any possibility of getting a home-dialysis machine put at the hospital in Plover Road, Minster.

Many patients already have their treatment at home, but because two people need to be trained to use it, this is not suitable for everyone.

He said: “She’s going to go away and look at whether it would be possible and practical for us to have one here.

“It was quite a positive meeting and I was quite encouraged by the outcome – she has committed to us and will keep me in the loop.

“It would be quite a practical solution.”

Mr Henderson will still push for the Island to have a proper unit, but believes this would be a good short-term answer.

Mr Edwards said if it goes ahead it would make a huge difference to him.

“It could have been decided a long time ago, it took a lot of grief to get this far,” the 50-year-old said.

“But I’m very pleased. It’s a start and it’s going in the right direction.”