Media Briefing
8.20am Thursday 11 February 2010
Home Dialysis Set To Increase
Wearable Kidney on the Agenda
Two Million Australians have Chronic Kidney Disease
National Conference
Brisbane Convention Centre
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 at the Conference.
Kidney Health Australia Patrons Sir Jack and Lady Margaret Brabham will speak at the
opening. The Conference will be attended by over 260 participants from the medical, nursing,
technical and allied health care workers involved in caring for patients on 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) 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.
All Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith National Communications Manager Kidney Health Australia Mob: 0417 329 201
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