Media Release 1 October 2009

Patients Get A Voice in First National Survey on Dialysis Delivery

Kidney Health Australia today announced it had completed the first stage of a national survey of all kidney dialysis patients to examine barriers and issues affecting the treatment they have experienced in their battle with kidney failure.

Over two hundred kidney patients in Tasmania have already been surveyed and the survey will commence in Western Australia in the next few weeks.

The Australian and New Zealand Dialysis & Transplant Registry has released a detailed report on extent of dialysis activity in Australia which outlines numbers in each state and details local hospital activity throughout Australia in every suburb including current numbers on home dialysis.

Click Here for Download of Full Report.

The new report shows that the burden of kidney failure on the Australian community continues to escalate at an alarming rate.

Dr. Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said in the 12 months to December 31 2008, 2476 new patients were accepted onto end-stage treatment programs -a 7.1% increase compared to the previous year.

This equates to almost 7 new patients requiring dialysis or transplantation each and every day of the year.

A nationally co-ordinated CKD policy on prevention, detection and management is urgently needed to treat more patients with the funds available.

Dr Mathew 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."

"Dialysis for kidney failure is the most frequent reason for hospitalization. In 2007-08, regular dialysis was recorded as the principal diagnosis in 989,000 (almost 1 million) separations - 12.6% of all hospitalization in that year."

Dr Mathew said this survey will allow us to better understand dialysis patient's perceptions, experiences and preferences of type of dialysis treatments and settings.

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