The expansion of kidney dialysis services at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) is now complete with a new treatment space on level 2 of the ARTS Building for Kidney and Transplant Services, now open to patients.
The refurbished space which is part of the Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery Program converted an administrative area into a light-filled clinic allowing an increase of five treatment bays to a total of 12 in this existing kidney services building.
The redevelopment of the level 2 location has relieved congestion in the level 1 treatment area and expanded the number of clients able to receive dialysis and specialist nursing support on the PA Hospital campus.
With dialysis clinics running from 6am until 11pm every day, the number of patients coming through three times a week, on one of three shifts per day Monday to Saturday, the capacity created by five additional treatment spaces is significant for this ever-growing area of care.
Nurse Unit Manager for Haemodialysis, Kylee McMahon said she was pleased to have arrived at the end of the construction program after planning for the service expansion in both the ARTS building and the High Dependency Dialysis Unit adjacent to the kidney ward in the main building.
“I’m really happy to have it open. It is a beautiful space for the patients and also for the staff as well. It is purpose-built and it’s a very appropriate co-located space for our patients and team to be.
“Everyone has had to accommodate a lot of change over the course of the construction. Without a great team, this would have been a lot more difficult,” Kylee said. “We look forward to increasing this service to full capacity by the end of October.”
Dialysis patient at PAH for the past two years, Yuri Jo, was one of the first to be welcomed to the new space on day one, 30 September.
“It’s great! It’s a nice space – the staff is exceptional here so they will be getting used to the new space and the processes but it’s still the same great staff.”
Divisional Director of Medicine at PAH, Jenny Paton, celebrated the unique relationship that clinicians share with long-term patients in kidney care who experience the dialysis unit as their home away from home.
“There are so many to thank at the conclusion of a significant program from the amazing nurses who run this dialysis service, to the project team who made the vision a reality, and support of the hospital executive and Metro South Health throughout.”
Princess Alexandra Hospital continues to play a critical role in delivering tertiary care for kidney disease, dialysis and transplant services to Queenslanders, and has been nationally recognised for its expertise in chronic kidney disease management.
The Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery Program is part of the Queensland Health Hospitals and Health Plan.