GOLD COAST RENAL DIALYSIS SERVICES GET $1.8 MILLION BOOST

Kidney patients living on the Gold Coast will benefit from a major boost to renal dialysis treatment services now available at the Gold Coast Hospital.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson told State Parliament today the number of renal dialysis chairs at the hospital is set to nearly double.

“From today, the number of renal dialysis chairs available at the hospital will jump from 16 to 25; with capacity to increase this to 30 chairs as demand increases,” he said.

“The extra nine chairs will alone enable up to 108 additional dialysis treatment sessions each week for patients.

“This is great news for local patients who require regular dialysis treatment to manage their condition.”

The additional dialysis chairs at the Gold Coast Hospital come on top of the opening of a new 14-chair renal unit at Robina Hospital in October.

Mr Robertson said the renal service expansion at Gold Coast Hospital results from the Bligh Government’s $1.8 million investment in a new renal building plus refurbishment of the existing 12-chair renal ward.

“We’re also investing a further $2.6 million in recurrent funding to ensure renal services at the Gold Coast Hospital continue to deliver quality care to renal patients living on the coast.

“That means in addition to more dialysis chairs we can deliver new and improved outpatient services to kidney patients living on the Gold Coast.

“The new renal outpatients centre at the hospital incorporates nephrologists (renal specialists), renal registrars and other health professionals offering patients chronic kidney disease, dietetics, psychiatric and vascular outpatient clinics.”

Mr Robertson said clinical staff at the Gold Coast Hospital had been closely involved in the planning and structure of the new renal unit to ensure models of care and patient services were based on the latest evidence.

“This service upgrade also delivers on the Bligh Government’s commitment to improve renal services for patients throughout Queensland.

“The number of Queenslanders diagnosed with severe kidney disease is estimated at 13,400 and growing by around six percent every year.

“We’re investing in new and improved renal dialysis services at hospitals throughout Queensland.

“For example, we have already opened a new 12-chair renal dialysis unit at Redland Hospital.

“A brand new 12-chair renal dialysis unit will also be delivered at Caloundra Hospital as part of its current $27 million redevelopment.

“Queensland Health is also progressing a new Statewide Renal Service plan to address growth in demand for renal services.”

Services being provided range from prevention, maintenance and management of early stages of chronic kidney disease to training patients to self-dialyse at home.

A particular focus is to assist people living with chronic kidney disease to adopt and maintain healthy behaviours through self management and support.

Home haemodialysis training enables patients who are interested in managing their dialysis needs at home no longer have to suffer the inconvenience of long trips to hospital.

They can manage their treatment from home while receiving 24 hour support both by phone and from on-call staff. Patients also receive regular visits to monitor their progress.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 3234 1190