Joint media release: More dialysis units for remote communities

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health

Dialysis will be made available in more remote locations to allow First Nations people to stay closer to home and on Country during treatment for end-stage kidney disease.

Funding of $18.58 million has been made available for additional dialysis units under the third round of the Albanese Labor Government’s $73.2 million investment in Better Renal Services for First Nations Peoples.

This new grant opportunity will target seven remote locations:

•    Alekarenge (Ali Curung) (NT)
•    Galiwin’ku (NT)
•    Maningrida (NT)
•    Yuendumu (NT)
•    Jigalong (WA)
•    Warburton (WA)
•    Normanton (Qld).

These communities were chosen based on the number of people requiring dialysis, the distance to existing services, and strong community support for a local service.

The Albanese Labor Government’s investment in better water security in these communities under the National Water Grid Fund ensures good quality water is available for use, which is vital for dialysis treatment.

During an average week of dialysis treatment, a patient can need between 300 and 600 litres of water.

Dialysis is essential, lifesaving treatment for patients with end stage kidney disease, which can otherwise only be treated by a kidney transplant. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are almost four times as likely to die from chronic kidney disease.

First Nations people in remote areas often travel hundreds of kilometres to access dialysis, making treatment difficult to maintain and resulting in poor health outcomes.

Providing dialysis treatment closer to home and on Country increases the likelihood of regular treatment, continued support and care from families and better management of health and wellbeing.

The first dialysis unit funded under the Better Renal Services for First Nations Peoples Measure officially opened in Coober Pedy earlier this year, with several patients already able to move home from regional hubs in South Australia.

Other units are being established in Yatala in SA, Balgo, Tom Price and Wiluna in WA, Badu Island in Queensland and Atitjere, Borroloola and Ti-Tree in the Northern Territory.

Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Ged Kearney:

“The Better Renal Services program is about increasing access to culturally safe, lifesaving dialysis treatment for First Nations communities in remote regions.

"Dialysis treatment is an intensive process, with patients often needing multiple treatments per week. These dialysis units will save families the additional burden of having to relocate, or regularly commute hundreds of kilometres to receive care.

"First Nations people are twice as likely to suffer from chronic kidney disease. Keeping people at home, on Country and connected to family and friends means they’re more likely to maintain the treatment and stay well for longer.

"The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its key election commitment to First Nations health and remains committed to working in partnership with Indigenous communities to help close the gap.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“Good quality water is vital for better life outcomes, and every Australian deserves to have access to a safe and reliable water supply.

“I am thrilled to know that our investments in critical water infrastructure projects across Australia are contributing to better health care on Country.”