New Redland Hospital renal unit officially opened
Published Wednesday, 01 August, 2007 at 05:08 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Redland Hospital’s new renal unit will ensure Bayside patients have better quality of life and dialysis treatment closer to home, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson officially opened the 12-chair renal dialysis unit which is part of a $15.3 million redevelopment underway at Redland Hospital.
“Dialysis patients on the Bayside no longer need to travel to the Princess Alexandra Hospital for regular treatment,” he said.
“Chronic renal patients usually require dialysis three times per week and each session takes four or five hours.
“This places a lot of stress on individuals and families causing major disruption to personal lives.
“Now that Bayside patients can receive treatment in their own community it means less disruption and less time and money spent travelling.”
Mr Robertson said the new renal unit currently treats 24 patients a week and this is expected to increase to 48 patients over the next two years.
“Fifteen new nursing staff have been recruited and trained to work in the unit, and recruitment is ongoing to allow additional dialysis sessions to be introduced.
“It’s all part of the Beattie Government’s commitment to improve renal services throughout Queensland.”
Mr Robertson said the incidence of renal disease was growing rapidly in Queensland.
“The number of Queenslanders diagnosed with severe kidney failure is estimated at 13,400,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this figure is growing by around six percent every year.
“That’s why Queensland Health is progressing a Statewide Renal Service plan.
“This will include a statewide mapping exercise to identify where additional renal services will be required over the next five to 10 years.
“The Beattie Government is also providing an additional $6 million this year for health service districts to fund chronic kidney disease management strategies, access to renal surgery and additional renal services.”
Mr Robertson said a temporary six-chair renal unit was opened at Redland Hospital in September 2006 to meet immediate demand.
The temporary unit will be refurbished to provide accommodation for additional medical and gastroenterology outpatient clinics.
The Redland Hospital redevelopment also includes a new emergency department due for completion early next year.
1 August, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson officially opened the 12-chair renal dialysis unit which is part of a $15.3 million redevelopment underway at Redland Hospital.
“Dialysis patients on the Bayside no longer need to travel to the Princess Alexandra Hospital for regular treatment,” he said.
“Chronic renal patients usually require dialysis three times per week and each session takes four or five hours.
“This places a lot of stress on individuals and families causing major disruption to personal lives.
“Now that Bayside patients can receive treatment in their own community it means less disruption and less time and money spent travelling.”
Mr Robertson said the new renal unit currently treats 24 patients a week and this is expected to increase to 48 patients over the next two years.
“Fifteen new nursing staff have been recruited and trained to work in the unit, and recruitment is ongoing to allow additional dialysis sessions to be introduced.
“It’s all part of the Beattie Government’s commitment to improve renal services throughout Queensland.”
Mr Robertson said the incidence of renal disease was growing rapidly in Queensland.
“The number of Queenslanders diagnosed with severe kidney failure is estimated at 13,400,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this figure is growing by around six percent every year.
“That’s why Queensland Health is progressing a Statewide Renal Service plan.
“This will include a statewide mapping exercise to identify where additional renal services will be required over the next five to 10 years.
“The Beattie Government is also providing an additional $6 million this year for health service districts to fund chronic kidney disease management strategies, access to renal surgery and additional renal services.”
Mr Robertson said a temporary six-chair renal unit was opened at Redland Hospital in September 2006 to meet immediate demand.
The temporary unit will be refurbished to provide accommodation for additional medical and gastroenterology outpatient clinics.
The Redland Hospital redevelopment also includes a new emergency department due for completion early next year.
1 August, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680