October 2002

Expanded dialysis service for eastern suburbs patients

More eastern suburbs residents with kidney failure will be able to receive their regular dialysis closer to home at an expanded service in East Burwood.

Health Minister John Thwaites officially opened the extended maintenance haemodialysis unit at the Peter James Centre.

‘The expanded unit will allow more people with renal failure, who need dialysis three times a week for four hours at a time, to receive treatment close to home.

The number of haemodialysis chairs at the centre, which is run by Eastern Health, has been increased from nine to 12.

‘The centre will now be able to accommodate 48 patients per week—12 more than before.

‘The patients are all under the care of Melbourne’s major nephrology units, located at the Alfred Hospital, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, St Vincent’s Hospital, Monash Medical Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

‘Patient review at the Peter James Centre is under a consultant nephrologist and this enables most patients to receive treatment at East Burwood rather than travelling to the major hospitals.’

The expansion has been funded through the Eastern Health budget and with donations from residents and community groups.

Mr Thwaites said the Peter James Centre played a key role in the health needs of older people in the eastern suburbs, particularly with community-based care.

The centre has received almost $1.3 million in Government funding over the past two years for a range of services to help keep people healthy and out of hospital.

This includes $577,000 for a home rehabilitation service, $82,000 to help prevent falls among older people, $468,000 for a rapid outreach response service for older people and $130,000 for an extra clinic for older people with complex care needs.