GMCT Specialty Service Networks 
Renal Services – NSW Renal Services Network
Chair: Jeremy Chapman
Each year in Australia approximately 2000 people are newly diagnosed with renal failure 7600 people receive renal dialysis and 6000 people live with a transplanted kidney.
The prevalence of patients on dialysis is growing by approximately
5% annually, partly caused by the increasing incidence of
diabetes. In 2003, 2529 people in NSW received renal dialysis.
The previous year, 198 people received a kidney transplant.
The number of people suffering from renal failure is rising,
resulting in a greater demand for both dialysis and transplantation
services. Some illnesses cause temporary renal failure, however
there is no recovery from chronic or “end stage”
renal failure. In these cases the only treatment is regular
dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Achievements
Three Transplantation Fellows and a Transplantation surgeon have been funded across the transplant sites, which will ensure that patients in the future will receive care by highly skilled practitioners, who have had the best possible experience.
Two Live Donor Coordinators have also been funded to improve the continuity of care for patients undergoing the transplantation process.
As part of recommended initiatives for renal services, GMTT
injected $2.3 million per annum to improve renal services.
This has significantly increased rates in live donor kidney
transplants (See Figure 1). Higher availability of surgery
time has substantially lowered waiting times at Westmead,
Royal Prince Alfred and John Hunter Hospitals. As a result,
patients are ensured speedier access to renal transplantation
services. Figure 2 demonstrates the high proportion of live
donor transplantations being performed.
Fig 1.  |
Fig 2.  |
Another aspect of the renal services plan, made possible
by the funds from GMTT, is the provision of dialysis services
closer to where people live in the west of Sydney.
The Renal Services Network is working on a range of strategies
to meet the predicted demands over the next 10 years. These
include workforce issues, efficiencies in purchasing, prevention,
and the development of guidelines to improve standards of
care. Each Area Health Service has also been funded to collect
comprehensive renal data to facilitate the best clinical practice
and to assist service planning.
The Renal
Health Facility Guidelines for development of dialysis
facilities are now available on the NSW Health website. Further
information is available for Renal
Advanced Trainees at their website.
Fidye Westgarth, Service Manager, Tel: (02) 9362 5792
Email: fwestgar@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au |
