Media
Release 6 November
2009
Breaking
Down the Barriers of Dialysis
Kidney
Health Australia is helping fifteen Western Australian
families break down the barriers of dialysis with a
holiday in Busselton.
Nina
Graham, Kidney Health Australia's WA Health Services
Manager said the Henry Giblet Holiday Dialysis
program, sponsored by LotteryWest, is a highlight each
year for many dialysis families who are forced to follow
a rigid schedule of dialysis treatment every two to
three days per week.
"Each
year Kidney Health Australia WA arranges for families to
have a holiday in Busselton. Kidney Health
Australia funds the accommodation and arranges for
patients to have their dialysis whilst on
holiday.
"Many families are unable to take
holidays because of dialysis requirements and often have
not been on holiday for years.
"This
Kidney Health Australia program provides patients and
families much needed respite in a wonderful environment
at Busselton.
"It is important to recognise
that a dialysis driven timetable affects the whole
family not just the patient.
"The
Broadwater Beach Resort in Busselton will play host to
the dialysis patients and their families with the KHA
dialysis services taking place at the St Johns Ambulance
Centre opposite the Busselton Hospital."
Ms
Graham said Kidney Health Australia provides an
extensive list of locations throughout Australia where
dialysis patients could gain dialysis assistance whilst
on holiday on the Kidney Health Australia website at www.kidney.org.au
Dialysis
in Australia Fast Facts
* A total of 9,642
people were receiving dialysis treatment at the end of
2007
* 24% were receiving
dialysis at a hospital, 31% were dialysing at home and
45% in satellite centres.
Home dialysis
includes:
* continuous
ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (10% of all dialysis)
* automated
peritoneal dialysis (12% of all dialysis)
* home haemodialysis
(10% of all dialysis)
* Rates of home
haemodialysis range from 15% in NSW to 1% in SA
Media Enquiries:
Nina
Graham KHA Western Australia's Health Services
Manager Mobile 0401 698 119
Ron Smith National Communications Manager
Kidney Health Australia Mob: 0417 329
201
NB: For Photo and Interview
opportunity with Dialysis Patients - please contact Nina
Graham direct to arrange.
