Summary
Gladstone Hospital has relocated its Satellite Dialysis Unit to a larger space, offering more treatment chairs, significantly improving this vital service for haemodialysis patients.
The newly relocated unit is now in the hospital’s former operating theatres and has increased the number of haemodialysis treatment chairs from four to six.
Clinical Co-ordinator Kristy Beer said the upgrades had been a huge boost for patients and staff.
“Until recently, we were caring for dialysis patients over three shifts, up until 11pm at night, six days per week,” Kristy said. “By increasing the number of chairs, we have been able to reduce our shifts to two shifts per day, six days a week.
“The revised schedule means patients can receive care during a morning shift (6.30am to 12.30pm) and an afternoon shift (2pm to 8.30pm), rather than staying late into the night.”
For Calliope mother-of-two Michelle Hews, that means getting back some precious family time with her husband and two young children.
“I have been attending dialysis at Gladstone Hospital three times a week for the past 18 months and sometimes that has meant being here until late and missing tucking the kids into bed,” she said.
“It’s also a relief to not be driving home late at night, worrying about things like kangaroos on the road.”
The addition of two new chairs is just one of the many improvements to service.
In January, the Gladstone Renal Unit also moved to a much larger space, which has enhanced privacy and comfort for patients while also allowing for future growth.
“The unit is so much more spacious and well-thought out, with an isolation room if someone is feeling unwell, but other chairs located together so patients can talk to each other.
“On a personal level, I’d have to say the staff are wonderful. They are very thorough and reliable – from day one they made me feel comfortable here.
“Even on days when I’m struggling, I know there are others doing it tougher than me, and I feel lucky to have the resources we have here in Gladstone Hospital.”