08 December 2008

First anniversary for Bega renal dialysis service

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said the Bega Renal Dialysis Unit will celebrate its first anniversary today (8 December).

"The three-chair unit is providing renal dialysis services close to home for six district patients four days per week and has been a huge boost for local health services," the Minister said.

"The establishment of the facility in Bega means patients who previously had to travel to Moruya or Canberra are now receiving treatment closer to where they live.

"Kidney failure is a chronic condition that can have a major impact on a patient's life and this lifesaving treatment is very time-consuming.

"Each patient needs dialysis two to three times a week, and the entire procedure takes up to six hours.

"Bega Renal Dialysis Unit is staffed by highly skilled nurses who have gained additional qualifications in the care of renal dialysis patients with the support of a medical specialist.

"In the past 12 months, two Registered Nurses have received this specialist training with a third nurse set to start training soon," Mr Della Bosca said.

Nurse Unit Manager, Linda McCorriston, said she and her staff were grateful to the Bega Hospital Auxiliary for its generous donation of a renal scanner to assist with early diagnosis and staff training.

A popular holiday destination, the Bega unit also caters for holiday makers who need renal dialysis.

GSAHS has established a network of specialist renal dialysis satellite centres to provide the highest possible quality of care as close as possible to where people live.

In the past six years, GSAHS has established and expanded satellite centres in Bega, Goulburn, Griffith and Moruya and has doubled capacity at Wagga Wagga.

Arrangements are also in place with Canberra and Wodonga renal dialysis services to provide treatment for GSAHS patients.

Media note: Local renal dialysis patients and their families will celebrate the anniversary with a morning tea on Monday 8 December at 11.30am at the Bega Renal Dialysis Unit.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au