The society does not provide medical services of any kind, as its expertise lies in the areas of support, education, information and patient representation.
Kidney Society services are free for kidney failure families in Northland and Auckland, although membership is encouraged.
The Society works closely with the professionals providing medical care for people with kidney failure but is a strictly independent patient society providing support in the community.
Holidays and Travel
Holidaying and travelling with a health condition means you need to do a little extra planning, such as taking with you a letter form your doctor, medications and arranging travel insurance when you go overseas.
People on peritoneal dialysis need to organise delivery of supplies along the way, but can otherwise go and stay where they like.
People on haemodialysis face the extra challenge of finding somewhere to dialyse. They are most limited in their choices - unless money is no object in which case overseas travel is relatively easy. Finding a dialysis unit in New Zealand that can accommodate you is usually difficult.
Your best chance of booking a dialysis space in Auckland is in the Rito Unit, South Auckland. For details, see below under South Auckland.
There is one private dialysis unit in Auckland that should always be able to fit you in - but you need to pay.
One of New Zealand's famous holiday spots is Taupo. If you are a kidney patient, or a member of a kidney patient society, you can use the Wellington Kidney Society's Taupo Holiday home. To dialyse there though, you need to be home haemo trained. Click here for details! It's not often that being a kidney patient is an advantage...
Finding somewhere to dialyse away from your own centre, in New Zealand especially, takes some planning.
In some countries visitor dialysis is free, in others you have to pay.
Many dialysis centres are very busy and may not be able to offer you a place when you want it.
Make sure you find out whether you have to book well ahead, and what you need to take with you.
Dialysis services in New Zealand are Government funded for New Zealand residents. There is a reciprocal agreement with Australia and the UK. Eligible persons may receive publicly funded services for conditions that meet the terms of the agreement. Check your entitlement before you leave!
Fee-paying, private dialysis services are available in New Zealand, for non-NZ residents and visitors.
Holiday and travel dialysis in Australia
Click here for the information about dialysing in Australia and other travel information.
We will soon add more information about dialysis travel worldwide. Probably the best way to find a dialysis unit anywhere in the world is Global Dialysis.
Travel insurance
If you travel overseas, travel insurance is really important - even if you cannot get (full) cover because of your health. Kidney Health Australia has good travel insurance advice for Australian patients, while not everything applies to NZ travellers, it's worth reading. Click here to read it.
See below for holiday and travel dialysis in New Zealand.
Auckland City
Jean Duffus
Charge Nurse Ambulatory Dialysis
Mail address c/o PD Unit, Ground Floor,
Building 7 Greenlane Clinical Centre (GCC), Greenlane, Auckland
Phone: (09) 307 4949 ext. 27372
Locator 934782
email: jduffus@adhb.govt.nz
Central Auckland
Nephrocare private dialysis (fee payable)
Ascot Avenue, Building A - Ground Floor, Remuera Auckland 1051.
Charge Nurse: Bronwen Ward, 09 520 7852 or bronwen.ward@fmc-asia.com
Chris Davies Booking, Coordinator Nephrocare Auckland, Ph 021 749 768, Fax 09 828 0629
dialysis@kidneykare.co.nz
South Auckland
Contact Babita Prasad, Dialysis Co-ordinator, (9) 276 0044 ext 2353, baprasad@middlemore.co.nz
They prefer 6-8 weeks notice, but will do their best to help in emergencies. Limit 2 weeks maximum.
website
Christchurch
Nephrology Department, Christchurch Hospital,
Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch
Ph: 03 364 0655
Fax: 03 364 0941
click here for Christchurch renal service Website
Dunedin
The Dunedin Hospital Dialys Unit is situated in Dunedin Public Hospital, 201 Great King Street, Dunedin.
Enquries regarding holiday dialysis either in the unit or for those who are independent, the dialysis house in Dunstan, Central Otago, need to be directed to:
Maree McDonald - 03 470-9345 or fax (03) 470 9508 or email
maree.mcdonald@otagodhb.govt.nz
Hamilton
Renal Unit, Waikato Hospital
Selwyn Street, Hamilton
Ph: 07 839 8899 extn 6540
Fax 07 839 8715
Hastings
Dialysis Unit Hawkes Bay Hospital
Omahu Road, Hastings
Ph: 06 878 1367
Fax: 06 8781311
New Plymouth
Taranaki Dialysis Unit, Taranaki Base Hospital
David Street, New Plymouth
Ph 0508 473 625
Palmerston North
Renal Unit, Palmerston North Hospital
Ruahine Street, Palmerston North
Ph (06) 350 8055
Rotorua
The Rotorua Satellite Dialysis Unit will accept visitors if they book well in advance. This needs to be done through the visitor's local renal unit.
Wellington
Renal unit, Wellington Hospital
Ward Support Block, Riddiford Street
Newton, Wellington
Ph: 04 385 5989 or 385 5599 ext 5696
Email
renaldepartment@ccdhb.org.nz
Whangarei
Dialysis Unit, Northland Base Hospital
Hospital Road, Whangarei
Ph: 09 430 4101 extension 8255 or 8256
Fax: 09 470 0050
For home haemodialysis trained patients only:
Christchurch Mobile Dialysis Unit, for home haemodialysis trained patients able to use a Fresenius 4008b machine
Volkswagen 2.5 litre turbo diesel LT46 LWB High Roof Van. One single and one 3/4 Berths
Complete with Fresenius 4008B dialysis unit, pressure pump, gas powered hot water, stove, 12 volt lighting, microwave, fridge and all dialysis related water treatment facilities. Current fees include insurance and road user charges are: for New Zealand dialysis patient's $100 bond plus $25/day or $125 per week.
For overseas dialysis patients $200 bond plus $125/day or 550 per week.
Click here for further information and photographs.
For further information you can contact Keiran Smith
C/o Christchurch Home Dialysis Training Unit
Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch
Ph (03) 364 0610
Dunstan, Central Otago, dialysis house for home dialysis trained patients.
Enquries: Maree McDonald - 03 470-9345 or fax (03) 470 9508 or email
maree.mcdonald@otagodhb.govt.nz
Hawkes Bay Mobile Holiday Unit for home haemodialysis trained patients, hire own choice of dialysis machine
This is a 3.3 litre Diesel Mitisubushi, with all the usual features of a Camper Van. It has a space for a Haemodialysis Machine, hire of this can be prearranged with the appropriate company depending on the type of machine required.
Dialysis machine company contacts: Gambro Fresenius
Features include: Sleeping accomodation for up to six people; Shower - Fridge - Toilet - Hot Water - Gas Oven - Toaster - Two Hot Rings
Electric Heater - Gas Heater - Awning, plus all usual utensils needed for a Campervan.
Hireage: The van is housed at the garage at Hastings Hospital, where out of town clients can store their car if required.
For further information and bookings contact: Linda Ogle, Phone (06) 845 1600
lindasoptions@xnet.co.nz
Kawakawa, Northland, for home haemodialysis trained patients able to use a Fresenius machine
Dialysis Unit, Kawakawa
Enquiries: Whangarei renal service, Ph: 09 430 4101 extension 5895
Fax: 09 404 2823
Otago and Southland Caravan for home haemodialysis trained patients able to use a Fresenius 4008b
This is a fully furnished 5 berth caravan with a Fresenius 4008b machine and has living equipment and household items for five people. Patients need to bring their own linen. This caravan is a 6.3 metre 2 door model and the dialysis area is curtained off. The caravan can be used for set periods at various resorts and locations in Otago and Southland.
Note: you must be able to use a Fresenius 4008B machine, i.e. you need to be home haemo trained.
For more details, click here.
Applications to: Alan Burgess, Greenwood Farm, 739 Purakaunui Falls Road, Owaka, Ph/Fax (03) 415-8259 or email greenwoodfarm@xtra.co.nz.
Taupo Holiday Home - for home haemodialysis trained patients able to use a Gambro AK95 S bicarb machine
Run by the Wellington Regional Kidney Society -an attractively appointed three bedroom home in a suburban street on the eastern outskirts of Taupo. It sleeps up to eight people - the dialysis room with two single beds, the main bedroom with queen-size bed, the third bedroom with four bunks (and plenty of floor space for more)
Other furnishings include longe suite, dining suite, colour TV and stereo/radio/cassette player. A portable heater is available to supplement central electric heating if necessary.
The dialysis room is equipped with a Gambro AK 95 S 'bicarb' machine. Dialyising users must provide written confirmation that they are trained in the use of this model and they are responsible for taking with them all the supplies and equipment they may need.
Rental Rates:
Patient members and immediate families $60 per night, $300 per week
Other members/societies $70 per night, $350 per week
Non - members $90 per night, $450 per week.
Special rates may be available on application
Reservation requests should be directed to:
Margaret Griffith, 26 Riwai Street, Paraparaumu 5032
Phone: (04) 904 9884
email: amGriffith@clear.net.nz
website
