Renal Stream Manager Kelly Marchioni said the service allows community members to receive vital treatment each week without the need to travel.
“The Tumut Local Health Advisory Committee and Tumut Hospital staff were instrumental in working with us to establish a chair-based service in Tumut,” Ms Marchioni said.
“On occasion the Tumut service has also been able to cater for holiday clients visiting the Snowy Valley region and allows dialysis clients to explore the area and reconnect with family and friends.
“The service has also upskilled four local nursing staff with specialised training in haemodialysis to cater for the community needs and will continue to provide training opportunities for additional staff in the future,” Ms Marchioni said.
Local client Kevin said he is much happier receiving treatment in his hometown of Tumut.
“I have more time to enjoy my fishing now that I no longer have to travel very far three times a week for dialysis,” Kevin said.
The MLHD Renal Service is a multidisciplinary team and includes a renal Nurse Practitioner, specialist renal nurses, dietitian, social worker pharmacist and Aboriginal health care coordinator.
Early stages of kidney disease usually have no signs or symptoms and can affect people of all ages. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, weight problems, people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin, smokers and those with a family history of kidney problems should ask their doctor for a Kidney Health Check every two years.
Medical referral to MLHD Renal Service can be made through your General Practitioner.
In-centre dialysis is also available at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, Griffith Base Hospital, and Deniliquin Hospital.
Financial subsidies for travel and accommodation for patients who need to travel long distances for treatment that is not available locally can be claimed through the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS). Information about accessing this financial support can be found on the IPTAAS website.
