Expanded dialysis service for Singleton

22 December 2010

Hunter New England Health has welcomed the start of an expanded dialysis service at Singleton Hospital that has doubled the number of patients who will be able to receive their treatment locally.

The Singleton dialysis unit now operates its four dialysis chairs six days a week, from Monday to Saturday.

Hunter New England Health Renal Stream Coordinator and Nurse Manager Community Dialysis Services Kelly Adams said the expanded service enables eight patients who cannot have dialysis at home to receive their treatment at their local hospital.

“The expanded service began on 14 December and we have effectively been able to double the number of patients who can receive their treatment at the Singleton Dialysis Unit,” Ms Adams said.

“The changes are good news for those patients who had wanted to receive their treatment at Singleton but who previously had to travel to other centres.  They now have better access to services and can receive their treatment closer to home.”

The Singleton Dialysis Unit was established more than 20 years ago and runs four dialysis chairs. The special reclining chairs were donated by the Singleton Lions and Lioness clubs who two years ago generously donated $23,000 to purchase new replacement chairs to improve the comfort and care of patients.

The dialysis unit had previously operated three days a week and Ms Adams said that until fairly recently it had been largely able to meet demand for services.

“However, we had been aware of an increase in demand for dialysis treatment in Singleton and the Upper Hunter over the past few months and had been looking at measures to help meet client needs.
 
“We are glad that by expanding the service to six days a week we have been able to help meet that need.”

It is the latest boost for dialysis services in the region. Services at the Muswellbrook Dialysis Unit were expanded in October, with its three dialysis chairs now also operating six days a week.

Ms Adams said that most people requiring dialysis in the Upper Hunter were able to administer their treatment at home. Hunter New England Health also provides outreach services to provide extra support for home dialysis patients in Singleton and the Upper Hunter.

She said that at times there may still be patients who because of their more complex conditions would require more specialised care and treatment that is provided at a specialist dialysis centre at the John Hunter Hospital.

Contact: Frances Holz

Phone: 4939 2216