A new renal dialysis unit opened in Midland today will allow more people with kidney disease to get the life-sustaining treatment they need closer to home.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Perth MLA John Hyde said the Midland Dialysis Centre had moved to new and bigger premises in the heart of Midland and would now be able to treat almost double the number of patients.
“The State Government will spend $21million over the next five years so that patients can get dialysis services right here in Midland,” Mr Hyde said.
“This new unit will mean close to 100 patients can now be treated at the centre, compared with 55 at the old unit.
“Patients with end-stage kidney disease require haemodialysis to keep them alive - which means spending about 15 hours a week in a dialysis chair.
“Treatment can be a long and often lonely process and services like this are important because they take away the extra pressure that travelling to Perth for dialysis sessions can put on patients and their families.”
The Midland Satellite Dialysis Unit is a partnership between Baxter Healthcare and WA Health.
Baxter Healthcare managing director Maree Coy said more than $2.5million had been invested in the new centre.
“The centre will provide critical health infrastructure to the Midland area, create job opportunities for nursing staff and health workers and supports the health needs of our indigenous population,” Ms Coy said.
“Baxter is pleased to have worked closely with the Western Australian Government to deliver a centre that provides quality renal care to patients in the eastern suburbs.”
Midland MLA Michelle Roberts said she was pleased that more people living in the region would be able to get this vital treatment in Midland.
“Services like the Midland Dialysis Centre deliver on the Government’s commitment to continue to provide the highest quality of health care closer to where people live,”
Mrs Roberts said.
Mr Hyde said demand for dialysis was increasing across the nation, with key risk factors such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension all increasing.
“The number of patients requiring dialysis in WA has almost tripled since 1990,” he said.
“This week is National Diabetes Week and I encourage everyone to adopt healthier lifestyle choices to avoid diabetes, which could lead to the development of kidney disease.
“This is a serious message; left untreated, chronic kidney disease could lead to kidney failure requiring renal dialysis three times a week, 52 weeks a year.”
Patient Richard Platts has been on dialysis for 11 years and has used the Midland Dialysis Centre for five years.
“It is more convenient for me to dialyse at Midland because of the reduced travelling time,” Mr Platts said.
“The nursing staff here makes me feel so welcome. I appreciate the work and effort that has been put into this wonderful new facility.”
The new unit is located at 11 The Avenue, Midland. It is open seven days a week including early morning and nights, with plans to further extend night services.
Minister’s office - 9422 3000
