New Renal Unit opens at Robina
Published Monday, 01 October, 2007 at 09:49 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Robina Hospital’s new renal unit opened today to ensure more Gold Coast patients have better quality of life and dialysis treatment closer to home, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson said the new 14-chair unit was part of the $40 million Robina Hospital redevelopment which also included the new emergency department, officially opened last week.
“This new renal unit ensures the Gold Coast will be able to meet growing demand for renal dialysis,” he said.
“With two additional renal chairs and one self-care chair up to 56 patients will receive haemodialysis at the new unit every week.
“It also includes a four-chair home haemodialysis training unit which will provide suitable patients with the training and equipment needed to manage their own treatment from home.
“It’s expected up to 24 patients will be trained in home dialysis each year.”
Mr Robertson said the new unit included a number of features to benefit patients and the environment.
“Extensive use of natural light in treatment areas is designed to stimulate recovery for patients,” he said.
“And two, 32 kilolitre water tanks have been installed to collect water from the renal dialysis units and recycle it for the garden and hospital surrounds.”
Mr Robertson said the new unit provided a much needed boost to renal services on the southern end of the Gold Coast.
“In 2000, there were 12 renal chairs available to provide dialysis treatment to public patients and by the end of this year there will be a total of 47 chairs on the Gold Coast when the new unit at Southport opens next month (November),” he said.
“Additional staff have been recruited to operate the services, including two new full-time renal physicians.
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 State 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.”
1 October, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson said the new 14-chair unit was part of the $40 million Robina Hospital redevelopment which also included the new emergency department, officially opened last week.
“This new renal unit ensures the Gold Coast will be able to meet growing demand for renal dialysis,” he said.
“With two additional renal chairs and one self-care chair up to 56 patients will receive haemodialysis at the new unit every week.
“It also includes a four-chair home haemodialysis training unit which will provide suitable patients with the training and equipment needed to manage their own treatment from home.
“It’s expected up to 24 patients will be trained in home dialysis each year.”
Mr Robertson said the new unit included a number of features to benefit patients and the environment.
“Extensive use of natural light in treatment areas is designed to stimulate recovery for patients,” he said.
“And two, 32 kilolitre water tanks have been installed to collect water from the renal dialysis units and recycle it for the garden and hospital surrounds.”
Mr Robertson said the new unit provided a much needed boost to renal services on the southern end of the Gold Coast.
“In 2000, there were 12 renal chairs available to provide dialysis treatment to public patients and by the end of this year there will be a total of 47 chairs on the Gold Coast when the new unit at Southport opens next month (November),” he said.
“Additional staff have been recruited to operate the services, including two new full-time renal physicians.
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 State 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.”
1 October, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680