Kidney Health Australia at the beginning of Kidney Health Week today called for a review of the petrol safety net for Australia's dialysis patients who need to travel to hospitals up to three days a week to stay alive.

One third of all admissions to public hospitals - 2000 patients every a day is due to dialysis and the amount of kidney patients is growing at 8.5%.

Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said this means across Australia we have 2000 patients travelling every day mainly by car to dialysis units.

"With petrol forecast to hit a $1.70 in a fortnight and be over $2.00 a litre by the end of the year we are particularly concerned about country and regional dialysis patients.

"A national survey in January last year before petrol prices started to rise revealed the average cost of travelling to patients is $30.00 a week equating to $1547 per annum and this represented 11% of the Aged and Disability support pension."

Ms Wilson said that patients have to spend up to 5 or 6 hours on average three times per week dialysing and this does not include their travel time to dialysis services.

"Under the current Patient Transport Assistance Scheme operated by State Governments financial reimbursement of just 13 cents/km is available if the patient has to travel greater than 75 kilometres, one way, to reach their treatment centre.

"Self funded retirees and younger workers who do not qualify for any concession cards, receive no financial assistance at all."

Kidney Health Australia last year presented a case for a review of National Patient Transport Assistance Schemes to the Australian Government Senate Community Affairs Standing Committee.

Ms Wilson said the escalating cost of petrol could also speed up the expansion of home dialysis in Australia.

Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson, CEO Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391
Ron Smith Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201