Dialysis patients finally able to take a holiday

Dialysis patients finally able to take a holiday
October 26, 2011 , 3:22 PM by Brett Millsom

The strict routine that goes with kidney dialysis means that it is often hard for patients to take a holiday or get away for a few days.

Well all that may be about to change.

The Big Red Kidney Bus Project will see the establishment of a mobile dialysis service that will travel to various holiday destinations around the state and offer patients the chance to have dialysis away from home for a few days.

People requiring dialysis often suffer from end-stage kidney disease which does not allow their kidneys to effectively remove waste and toxins from the bloodstream.

Dialysis every two days is required to remove these toxins

While the project is only in the initial stages, Jo Fairbarin of Kidney Health Australia believes that The Big Red Kidney Bus will offer patients significant benefits when it begins.

"It's a magic idea. It's a local solution but with far-reaching impacts for all Victorians on dialysis," she said.

Vince Tripodi, a Traralgon dialysis patient says that the idea was born out of frustration at not being able to get away for more than two days.

After canvassing the idea with fellow dialysis patients a partnership was established with Kidney Health Australia, with a bus already secured to provide the service.

"We're going places and it's all working out," Mr. Tripodi said.

http://blogs.abc.net.au/victoria/2011/10/dialysis-patients-finally-able-to-take-a-holiday.html