Sending patients to Waikato still preferred dialysis option
Jessica Wauchop
TAIRAWHITI could be the last Midland region to get a satellite renal dialysis centre despite more than 30 people using the service and an obvious growing need.
A dialysis centre would need to be both clinically and financially viable and at present, sending patients to Waikato is the district health board's preferred option.
Yet Wairoa, with only eight to 10 people who receive dialysis, is getting a satellite unit. The unit will be an extension of the Hawke's Bay DHB's renal services.
The provision of a local dialysis centre would mean people who required haemodialysis, but were unable to do this in their homes, could receive the treatment at the unit. It could also mean more people moving from CAPD dialysis to home haemodialysis more readily.
However, patient travel would still be required even with a locally-based satellite renal centre, said TDH chief executive Jim Green.
"Most people do not travel to Waikato for dialysis treatment on a regular basis.
"We have got people doing home haemodialysis. It is a growing number and a good option, however it should be remembered that even if there was a satellite centre here those people could still need to travel to Waikato if they required specialist care and for their initial training.
"For those already undertaking their own home haemodialysis there would be little advantage in having a satellite centre."
Sending patients to Waikato for dialysis training costs the health board about $200,000 a year, and this cost is set to rise.
The rate of people with kidney disease and other chronic health conditions in Tairawhiti was higher than the general population, said Mr Green.
"Unless people change to healthier lifestyle options and we intervene early for people with conditions such as diabetes then, yes, there will be a projected increase of people with kidney disease."
Acute services could not be provided in a satellite centre as they required the direct input of a renal team and renal physician, which Gisborne did not have the population to sustain, said Mr Green.
The issue is set to come up at health meetings today, with a written update of renal services in both the hospital advisory committee and health board agendas.