One of Australia's leading charities, Kidney Health Australia today called for the New South Wales and Federal Governments to investigate the cost of electricity and water to people with kidney failure undertaking home dialysis.

"The elderly couple has told their daughter they planned to revert to using a kerosene lamp and cooking on their open fire to cut their normal electricity costs to pay for the power to ensure they could afford electricity to the dialysis machine."

Dr Mathew said of the total of 9,642 people receiving dialysis treatment at the end of 2007, 9% were on home haemodialysis and for these people the cost of electricity and water can be a major issue. The extra costs for water and electricity incurred at home are covered in some States but not in New South Wales.

"In the current climate where costs of electricity and water are escalating, Kidney Health Australia is concerned with the injustice that the extra direct costs are incurred by patients who choose home treatment.  Each patient who dialyses at home saves the Health system tens of thousands of dollars each year by avoiding the nursing costs otherwise incurred in performing the treatment."

Dr Mathew said people undertaking home haemodialysis are saving the State Governments more than $20 million annually as the cost for hospital dialysis is estimated at $82,764 and home dialysis is $56,828.

"In the next ten years the number of patients on dialysis is expected to double to 20,000 and it is in the best interest of any government to encourage dialysis at home to minimize the high cost of delivering this treatment." 
 
Media Enquiries:
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith National Communications Manager Kidney Health Australia

Mobile: 0417 329 201

- To  arrange Interview with daughter Debbie Riley who will speak about her parents plight. 
 
NB: Distribution to all Members of Parliament New South Wales Electorate Offices