By REBECCA WALSH, health reporter
A home away from home for people needing kidney dialysis treatment has opened in South Auckland.
The residential home, set up by the Auckland District Kidney Society, will provide an alternative to hospital-based dialysis treatment and eventually have space for up to 10 patients.
It opens as
demand for kidney dialysis is skyrocketing in South Auckland, due to the area's large number of Maori and Pacific people, who have a higher incidence of Type 2 diabetes.
In June, Middlemore Hospital will run out of space to treat more patients and is planning additional night-shift dialysis, but new facilities will be needed.
Kidney society manager Nora van der Schrieck said Middlemore cared for about 280 people on haemodialysis, who needed three treatments of four to six hours a week.
Another 376 people would need dialysis treatment in the next few years. About 30 are on home dialysis already.
Ms van der Schrieck said the community house in Papatoetoe was the first in New Zealand to operate without medical staff present.
It would enable those people whose own houses were not suitable for dialysis to reap the benefits of a home environment.
She said the house also allowed patients greater flexibility in timing when they had their treatment, and they could have their family around.
Similar projects may be set up elsewhere in Auckland, and in Northland.
Herald Feature: Health
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