June 2007

Dialysis unit at Melton meets patient needs

A new North West Dialysis Service unit has now opened in Melton to meet growing demand in the district.

The satellite haemodialysis unit replaces the smaller Bacchus Marsh unit, which has provided haemodialysis services to the community since 1996.

Melton has 12 chairs and provides haemodialysis to 48 patients, a large increase in capacity compared to the three chairs catering for 12 patients at the former Bacchus Marsh unit.

NWDS worked in collaboration with Djerriwarrh Health to develop the unit as part of the $13.8 million Melton Health project.

The Bacchus Marsh patients were relocated to the new unit without interruption to their treatment, dialysing alongside other patients who have been waiting for dialysis services in the area for some time.

A new dialysis unit has also been established at Nhill, in conjunction with West Wimmera Health Service.

NWDS now coordinates 23 satellite dialysis units across northwestern Victoria, providing dialysis facilities close to where people live.

NWDS is part of Melbourne Health and provides a range of services for patients with chronic renal failure in north-western Melbourne and rural Victoria.