More than 18 months of community fundraising has come to fruition with Young’s new self-managed renal unit welcoming its first client on Monday.
The renal unit will allow residents to undergo dialysis in the local area rather than having to travel to Canberra after more than $100,000 was raised by the community.
Bobby Sims was the first client to use the unit on Monday after completing six weeks of training with nurses in Canberra so that he could correctly use the self-manage specific dialysis machine.
“[We are] very excited. It is wonderful for the community,” Patrina Byng, Murrumbidgee Local Health District clinical nurse consultant said.
“This makes a huge difference to the client’s quality of life.
“It is life saving treatment - without your kidney, you wouldn’t be able to live.
“This is an opportunity [for people for have been clinically assessed to use self-dialysis] to use the unit like it’s their own home,” Ms Byng said.
The unit, which has space to accommodate three dialysis machines, is equipped with kitchen facilities, a bathroom, storage room for equipment and a TV, reflecting the goal of creating a ‘home away from home’ for the client.
It also provides emergency backup generators and clean, running water which is essential to the dialysis process.
Bobby uses the facility every second day for between four to five hours.
“The local people have been fantastic raising money [for the unit],” Bobby said.
“Without the community we wouldn’t have the unit here.”
Two needles connected by tubes are inserted into the arm of the client - one taking blood from the arm while the other returns blood to the body. The blood is processed through the machine using a filter which removes waste and helps to balance fluid, minerals and chemicals.
Clients are able to be in the unit by themselves or can be supported by a trained ‘buddy’ who provides support for them throughout the self-dialysis process.
Ms Byng said an official opening of the unit is being planned in the near future to recognise the fundraising efforts of the community who helped fund the construction.
“We are very lucky to have such strong community support,” she said.
Mark Sheridan, Chairman of The Self Managed Renal Unit Fundraising Committee is very pleased that the first client has made use of the facility.
“Over the past 18 months our committee of over 20 members from all different areas of the Young community have worked hard to raise the necessary funds,” he said.
“We have had a lot of fun, learnt a great deal and met a lot of wonderful people along the way who have supported the cause.
“Community committee projects like this and the previous Oncology Unit fundraiser highlight the strong spirit of support that makes Young a great place to live.
“We are proud of our effort and thank everyone for supporting us.”
The doctor’s accommodation, which adjoins the unit, is currently under construction.
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