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Whakatane Hospital is now able to provide a dialysis service as a new six-station satellite renal unit’s been installed on site.
Health Minister Tony Ryall says the unit will give patients better access to life sustaining treatment closer to home.
Whakatane Hospital.
“This is part of the government’s drive to have more health services delivered closer to patients, who will no longer have to travel to Tauranga up to three times a week.”
The renal unit will provide for 6-12 patients per week and has the ability to meet the needs of up to 24 patients a week.
“We all know when we’re unwell the last thing we want to do is travel,” says Tony.
“This new unit is a real benefit to the Eastern Bay of Plenty as it gives people who need to have hospital-based dialysis the option of having it in Whakatane.”
The $410,000 unit is largely funded with a surplus from the Project Hope Community Trust, which successfully raised funds for a local cancer treatment centre.
Ongoing operating costs will be met by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board.
Tony says the demand for dialysis treatment is increasing by 10-percent each year in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, which is double the rate across the country.
Tony opened the unit in Whakatane on Thursday and during his visit he also opened a new web health kiosk at the public library which links people to information about local health and social services on the internet.
