Early Media Alert
Home Dialysis Set To Increase
Wearable Kidney On The Agenda
Two Million Australians Have Chronic Kidney Disease
National Conference
Brisbane Convention Centre
Thursday 11th February
8.20 am Media Briefing
With the demand for dialysis expected to double in Australia in the next ten years from 10,000 to
20,000, the third Australasian Home Haemodialysis Workshop will commence this morning at the
Brisbane Convention Centre
A wearable kidney which is worn like a belt and provides continuous dialysis would change the
lifestyle of people with failed kidneys and play a major role in the total reform of dialysis treatment in
Australia and Internationally will be discussed
Kidney Health Patrons Sir Jack and Lady Margaret Brabham will speak at the opening to be attended
by over 260 participants from the medical, nursing, technical and allied health care workers involved in
caring for patient’s doing home based dialysis
With many patients forced to travel large distances to undertake their life preserving dialysis treatments, often
with great difficulty and cost three times a week, home dialysis is becoming increasingly important for patients
whose kidneys have failed to stay alive
At the end of 2008, 10,062 people in Australia were receiving dialysis treatment with dialysis for Chronic
Kidney Disease (CKD) is the most frequent reason for hospitalization. “In 2007–08, regular dialysis for CKD
was recorded as the principal diagnosis in 989,000 (almost 1 million) separations 12.6% of all hospitalization
in that year.”
Data is emerging to indicate that both survival and quality of life is improved by longer dialysis hours
which can be delivered in the home setting.
A press briefing will be held at 8.45am following the official opening with Sir Jack and Lady
Margaret Brabham, Dr Carmel Hawley, Clinical Director of Haemodialysis, Princess
Alexandra Hospital and Chairman of the conference, Dr Tim Mathew Medical Director Kidney
healthy Australia and Home Dialysis Patient Doug Alexander .
Full Progam On Web
All Media Enquiries
Ron Smith National Communications Manager Kidney Health Australia 0417 329 201.
NEWS 
