Minister announces dialysis unit for Melville

11/11/00
The State Government's renal dialysis program is set to benefit those people living with kidney disease in Perth's south-western suburbs.
Health Minister John Day said that through the State-wide program a new renal dialysis satellite unit in Melville would mean that patients could receive most of their treatment locally.
"A great number of patients have spent a lot of time travelling to and from tertiary and inner city satellite dialysis units for treatment," Mr Day said.
"This is time-consuming and inconvenient for many people."
The Minister said some patients with renal disease spent up to 15 hours a week sitting in a chair undergoing haemodialysis.
"Those people suffering from end-stage renal failure faced weekly dialysis treatment ranging from high dependence care in teaching hospitals to independent self-care at home," he said.
Mr Day said renal dialysis was a high volume and high cost speciality.
"In Western Australia the health funding allocated to renal dialysis has grown approximately eight to 10 per cent per year," he said.
"The State Government currently provides $26 million a year for approximately 630 dialysis patients. Services are provided free of charge to public patients."
Mr Day said increasing demand had placed added pressure, not only on facilities, but on the need for more services and trained staff.
In recognition of this demand renal dialysis has been identified as a special service clinical program .
The objectives are:

• to improve co-ordination of renal dialysis service delivery;

• to increase activity monitoring and ensure that program funds follow patients as they move across dialysis modalities;

• to analyse population health needs in relation to renal dialysis care; and -

• to develop satellite services which are closer to where patients live.

Mr Day said the State Government was committed to providing satellite dialysis units in suburban and rural areas and to provide a more convenient and efficient service for patients.
The new Melville Satellite Dialysis Unit adds to the list of existing satellite haemodialysis services in Joondalup, Armadale, Midland, Peel, Shenton Park, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Geraldton and Port Hedland.
There are also tertiary level in-centre units at Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner, Fremantle and Princess Margaret Hospitals.
A community dialysis service has been established in Albany to allow self care patients who require haemodialysis to be treated locally.
A new satellite service is due to open in Broome in 2001.
"Whatever we can do as health service providers to ease the impact of dialysis treatment is a major benefit for patients in our State," Mr Day said.
Media contact: Carole Cowling on 9213 6600