Kidney Health Australia
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 – Hospital by Hospital Date in every
suburb or country region, ideal for geographic location.
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 Corporate Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201
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