Renal Satellite Dialysis Service

 What is Haemodialysis?

Haemodialysis involves the use of a pump, which pumps the blood in a circuit from the body through an artificial kidney, and back to the body. As the blood goes through the artificial kidney the waste products move across a membrane and the waste products are removed from the blood.

A dialysis session takes between four to six hours, and is usually  required three times each week.

For more information on kidney disease and haemodialysis, an interesting website is www.nzkidneyfoundation.co.nz

Facility and Equipment

The Lakes RSDU building was formerly situated on Whakaue Street, and housed the District Nursing Team. The building was moved to Pukeroa Hill during April/May 2006, and fully refurbished to make it suitable for renal dialysis.

12 chairs are utilised 6 days a week. 

 Fundraising Project - Renal Satellite Service for Lakes

This service for Lakes District Health Board 'went live' on 3 July 2006, following an official opening by Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick and Bea Yates.

The development of a Renal Satellite Dialysis Unit (RSDU) within the Lakes region was made possible by the Te Whakapono Health Trust, who fund-raised over $720,000 for  this very important service.

The introduction of the satellite unit at Rotorua means that Lakes patients no longer have to drive -and-from Hamilton several times per week for their haemodialysis treatment.

The Te Whakapono Trust website is www.dialysisappeal.co.nz.

RSDU Service, Staff and Contact Information

The Lakes Satellite Service currently provides outpatient haemodialysis to patients six days per week, 52 weeks per year.

The Lakes RSDU is a satellite of the Regional Renal Service (tertiary centre at Waikato District Health Board).