PORTER PUSHES PLAN

A Renal Health plan released during Kidney Week

Today, Ms Mary Porter MLA, Member for Ginninderra, released the ACT Renal Health Services Plan 2010-2015, during the official launch Kidney Health Awareness week in the ACT.

“Kidney Health Awareness week is a great opportunity to raise the profile of kidney health, to promote a healthy lifestyle and to encourage each other to visit our GP for regular check-ups,” Ms Porter said.

“Early detection and management of chronic kidney disease can reduce the rate of deterioration in kidney function as much as 50 per cent, and may prevent the illness from developing,” Ms Porter said.

The Plan provides a strong strategic direction for the provision of renal services over the next five to ten years and outlines a model of service delivery that will help to meet future demand.

Key directions for ACT Renal Services over the next five years include:
• The establishment of an ACT Renal Services Network,
• The provision of addition dialysis capacity in the ACT,
• Encourage and support national strategies to increase the rate of organ donation, and
• Support for the establishment of homelike community settings where patients can ‘self dialyse’ where dialysis at the patient’s home may be unsuitable.

“An important aspect of kidney health awareness is to monitor blood pressure.”

“I understand that nurses will be taking blood pressure readings tomorrow at Westfield Woden and the Tuggeranong Hyperdome. This event is open to everybody and I encourage all Canberrans to take this opportunity to check their kidney health by having their blood pressure taken,” Ms Porter said.

Statement Ends
Media Contact: Andrew Hunter 02 6205 0428 bh 0431 739 775
Andrew.hunter@parliament.act.gov.au