Patients Get A Voice in First National Survey on Dialysis Delivery
 
Kidney Health Australia today announced it has launched the first stage of a national survey of all kidney dialysis patients to examine barriers and issues affecting the clinical pathway they have experienced in their battle with kidney failure. 
 
Over two hundred kidney patients in Tasmania will be the first to receive the survey this week.  

  
Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said, the projections of numbers needing Kidney Dialysis in Australia over the next 10 years and the current Federal Government's drive to make the health system more efficient will ultimately force the current Rudd Government to review the delivery of dialysis in Australia.
 
"A nationally co-ordinated CKD policy on prevention, detection and management is urgently needed to treat more patients with the funds available."   
 
Ms Wilson said  "this will be the first national census of people on dialysis where the patients and their families will have a voice and it's designed to inform Kidney Health Australia of appropriate strategic directions in the provision of dialysis in Australia and to assist in providing informed advice to all levels of government."
 
At the end of 2007, 9,642 people in Australia were receiving dialysis treatment.
 
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said, "Dialysis for Chronic Kidney Disease is the most frequent reason for hospitalization.
 
"In 2007-08, regular dialysis for CKD was recorded as the principal diagnosis in 989,000 (almost 1 million) separations 12.6% of all hospitalization in that year.
 
"This survey will allow us to better understand dialysis patient's perceptions, experiences and preferences of type of dialysis treatments and settings."
 
How much does Kidney Failure cost the Australian health system?
·   The best available evidence we have on cost per person per year on dialysis is:
-            hospital Haemodialysis - $82,764
-            satellite Haemodialysis - $48,631
-            home Haemodialysis - $44,739
-            peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) - $56,828
·   The cost of dialysis in 2006 was estimated to be $646.6 million
·       On 2005 figures the cumulative cost of dialysis from 2004 to 2010 is expected to be $4.5 billion.
 
Media Enquiries:

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