Media Release 12 June 2009

Kidney Health Australia Launches National Survey on Dialysis Services

Kidney Health Australia has set up a national multi-disciplinary working party to look at attitudes to dialysis and resources available for dialysis in Australian renal units which are under stress to cope with growing numbers.

Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said the initiative by Kidney Health Australia for the first time will bring together the views and data from medical professionals, patients and their families.

"These pivotal surveys are designed to inform us of appropriate strategic directions in the provision of dialysis in Australia and assist in providing informed advice to government which will face an increasing challenge in funding dialysis which costs $83.000 annually per patient.

"The number of people on dialysis increased by 4% from 2006 to 2007, and has averaged a 6% growth rate per year over the past decade blowing out the dialysis budget by $1 million a week. 2,311 people started kidney replacement therapy (dialysis or transplant) in 2007."

Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said "Dialysis for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the most frequent reason for hospitalisation in 2006-07, regular dialysis for CKD was recorded as the principal diagnosis in 933,772 hospitalisations - 12.3% of all hospitalisation in that year.

Dr Mathew said, "The working party has developed surveys to collate opinions on these important issues from consumers and health professionals - Renal Unit Directors, Heads of Departments, other nephrologists and dialysis nurses. Currently over 30 heads of departments and 200 renal nurses had logged their views into the program.

"The current survey on www.dialysissurvey.org.au is for health professionals only as we are very keen to have as many renal health professionals as possible participate in the completion of this survey to ensure we obtain broadly representative data."

Dr Mathew said the consumer part of the survey is to be released later this month to patients and carers.

Dialysis 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.

Details of the Survey available under Health Professionals menu at www.kidney.org.au

Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson Chief Executive Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director, Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith, National Communications Manager, Kidney Health Australia
Mobile: 0417 329 201