Extra special visitors have been in Lakes Entrance the last few weeks while using the mobile dialysis on wheels, the Big Red Kidney Bus.
Kidney Health Australia’s free dialysis service on the bus allows those from near and far to receive lifesaving dialysis services while enjoying a much-needed holiday in beautiful surrounds.
Lifesaving dialysis treatment can take a heavy physical and mental toll on people, while also severely restricting their freedom to travel. Dialysis replaces natural kidney function by cleaning the blood and getting rid of toxins. Although a life-saving treatment, it can be a gruelling and highly invasive medical intervention three days a week, five hours a session. This severely restricts the time people can spend with family and friends and the enjoyment of a holiday.
The Big Red Kidney Bus brings back enjoyment of life to so many people living with kidney failure.
“We are delighted to bring the Big Red Kidney Bus to Lakes Entrance. Our bus is much loved by our kidney community as it gives them the freedom to move beyond their treating clinic and visit other parts of Australia, a freedom so many of us take for granted,” Chris Forbes, chief executive officer of Kidney Health Australia, said.
The Big Red Kidney Bus recently celebrated 10 years on Victorian roads, with Lakes Entrance being its first ever stop. The Big Red Kidney Bus has visited Lakes Entrance every year since the program launched, excluding COVID-impacted years.
The Gippsland electorate has the 18th highest percentage of community diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in Australia.
One-thousand-eight-hundred-and-fifty-four Gippsland residents have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and more than 16,900 people likely to have the condition undiagnosed. In fact, you can lose 90 per cent of kidney function before symptoms appear, resulting in late diagnosis.
The program is open to both tourists and Lakes Entrance locals. Locals on dialysis must typically travel to Bairnsdale for treatment, where the closest dialysis ward is located. By booking a spot on the Big Red Kidney Bus, locals can save themselves the hour and 20 minute round-trip and receive lifesaving treatment closer to home.
The dialysis sessions on the bus are free to eligible patients and allow bus visitors to maintain their dialysis routine. Monash Health dialysis nurses on board the bus provide the same high-quality care patients are used to inside the hospital.
The Big Red Kidney Bus arrived at the BIG4 Whiters Holiday Village in Lakes Entrance on September 23 and will depart on November 2. Kidney Health Australia and Monash Health welcome all locals to come see the way the service works and learn more about kidney disease.
Three in four adult Aussies are at risk of Chronic Kidney Disease, including those with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and family history. Due to its symptomless nature it is commonly diagnosed at kidney failure stage, by which time there is little that can be done to slow progression.
“We hope that having the bright red bus in Lakes Entrance will bring much needed awareness to locals about kidney health and the fact that 1.8 million adult Australians who have kidney disease remain undiagnosed,” Mr Forbes said.
People living with kidney disease who are interested in booking onto the service are encouraged to contact Kidney Health Australia on 1800 454 353 or visit kidney.org.au/bus for more information.
