Travelling with dialysis: Sina’s guide to discovering Potsdam
A stroll through historic gardens, a café stop in the Dutch Quarter or a quiet moment beside the water. For Sina Dähne, Operational Excellence Manager for Diaverum’s East Germany regionPotsdam is a city best enjoyed at your own pace.
Here, she shares her local favourites and introduces the teamwork that helps patients feel confident about travelling with dialysis.
Having worked as a dialysis nurse for many years, Sina has seen how much a holiday can mean to someone who thought travelling was no longer possible. Today, she supports centres across the area, including Potsdam, helping teams improve processes and provide a positive patient experience.
Sina also works closely with Gabriele Muller, Diaverum’s d.HOLIDAY Coordinator in Germany. Together with the local clinic teams, they help patients navigate the preparations for holiday dialysis, combining country-level coordination with local knowledge and support.
“The direct support of holiday dialysis patients is handled by our amazing Head Nurses and nursing teams in the centres,” Sina explains. “My role is more focused on supporting the clinics behind the scenes.”
Preparing for a confident start
For Sina, good communication is central to helping visiting patients feel comfortable before they travel. Many want reassurance that their medical information has been received, their treatment appointments are organised and the local team is ready to welcome them.
“Our teams have a lot of experience with holiday dialysis patients, and good communication goes a long way in helping people feel comfortable before they travel.”
The process begins with checking availability for the requested dates. The patient, their home dialysis centre or the person organising the stay then receives information about the documents and medical details needed. Once everything is complete, the local team arranges the treatment appointments. Patients can also contact the Head Nurse with questions during their preparations.
“We try to make the whole process as straightforward as possible so patients can focus on enjoying their holiday,” says Sina.
Visiting Potsdam - history, nature and a favourite café stop
“For me, Potsdam has the perfect mix of history, nature and city life.”
Sina particularly loves the Dutch Quarter, with its small cafés, restaurants and relaxed atmosphere. It is somewhere to pause, enjoy the surroundings and leave a little room in the day for simply wandering.
Diaverum Am Neuen Garten, the city’s holiday dialysis clinic, is located beside Neuer Garten, one of Potsdam’s many beautiful parks. With Berlin nearby, visitors can also combine a quieter stay in Potsdam with time exploring the German capital.
For an afternoon between treatments, Sina suggests a walk through Sanssouci Park followed by a visit to the city centre, adapting the outing to your energy and pace.
“A coffee and a piece of cake in the Dutch Quarter is always a good idea,” she says.
Afterwards, she would choose a peaceful spot beside one of the lakes.
“Potsdam has so many lovely spots by the water, and it’s a great way to relax and enjoy the city at a slower pace.”
Sina’s personal favourites
Among the places closest to Sina’s heart is the Orangery Palace in Sanssouci Park. Its architecture and surroundings make it a favourite she returns to again and again.
“Most people know Sanssouci Palace, but the Orangery is often a little quieter,” she says. “It’s one of those places I never get tired of visiting.”
Spring is her favourite season, when the gardens begin to bloom, outdoor cafés fill up and the city feels full of energy again. Sitting in the old town with a coffee is one of her simplest pleasures.
She also loves the Christmas season, when Potsdam’s markets bring a festive atmosphere to the city. Nearby Berlin offers further opportunities to enjoy Christmas markets and seasonal events.
Making room for new memories
One experience from Sina’s nursing career has stayed with her: a patient who had taken their first holiday in years after feeling too worried to organise dialysis away from home.
Seeing how happy and confident they felt afterwards reminded her why helping patients travel matters.
“Moments like that remind you that dialysis is only one part of a person’s life. Being able to travel and make memories is important, too.”
Her encouragement to anyone feeling uncertain is to take that first step and speak to the teams who can help.
“Of course it’s normal to feel unsure at first, but there are experienced teams who can support you and help organise everything.”
Ready to discover Potsdam ?
Explore Diaverum Am Neuen Garten and enquire treatment availability for your preferred dates.
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