Dialysis Unit Expands At Home Hill Hospital

People living with renal failure in the Burdekin are now able to access treatment locally thanks to the expansion of the dialysis unit at the Home Hill Health Service facility.

The newly expanded service opened last week and is able to treat double the number of patients, with a total of 16 people now receiving treatment there each week.

Home Hill Hospital has been providing a satellite dialysis service for the past 30 years, opening a three-bed service back in 1991.

The recent expansion has now extended services to include eight fully operational dialysis machines with two new rostered staff able to run the ward six days per week.

Previously, some patients were required to travel to Townsville Hospital for treatment because, although the ward had the ability to service more people, the hospital did not have the staff to provide the service.

Patients undergoing renal dialysis attend dialysis sessions three times a week, with each session lasting approximately five to six hours.

Adding additional travel time to Townsville meant each patient was spending an extra two hours in transit each week.

One of these locals is Angelo Loizou who has been receiving renal dialysis for just over three years.

He and his wife Kelli have been campaigning for an increased local service since the beginning and, although frustrated it took a long time to achieve, are now grateful to see it finally become a reality.

“Back then we thought it would be an easy fix, but we got shut down,” said Ms Loizou.

“It’s the first time I realised we are at a disadvantage living in a regional community, this wouldn’t happen in Brisbane, we would never be told we had to drive to the Gold Coast for treatment.

“There is a divide and inequity between the city and country.”

Fortunately, with tireless campaigning from the couple and dedicated efforts from Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, the service has now expanded, and Mr Loizou can receive treatment in his home town.

“He used to miss out on so much and we used to have to plan our days around it,” said Ms Louzou.

“But now, even though it’s only been a week, there is a sense of calm, ease, it really takes the pressure off.

“He used to drive himself to Townsville and I am also not having to worry about him on the road – he is in and out and often done by lunchtime.”

Local Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, said he is thrilled to see more equity in access to health care in the region.

“Three years ago, I took up for the fight for an increase in dialysis services at the Home Hill Hospital,” Mr Last said.  

“There’s been a few false starts but the recent expansion of services means fewer people from the Burdekin making the trip to Townsville several times a week.”

“Whilst there will be some patients who, due to their individual circumstances, will still need to travel to Townsville, we have successfully reduced that number by working together.  

“That’s great news for the patients and their families.”

Mr Last reiterated that previously “equipment and facilities were sitting underutilised at the Home Hill Hospital due to staffing”.

“We literally had people driving past that hospital on their way to Townsville for treatment,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for governments to announce buildings or equipment but forget about the people who are needed to deliver for smaller communities like ours.  

“There is a huge boost for patients’ mental health when they can maintain their connection to the community and, for some, continue to work.  

It’s almost impossible to do those things when you are spending hours on the road several times a week for treatment.”

“Getting to where we are now has been a tough fight, especially for the people who need treatment and their families.

“I made a commitment to them that I would keep fighting and, despite the setbacks, that joint effort has achieved a great result.”

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