Staff from Kidney Health Australia (KHA) will be available in the foyer of the hospital to provide information about kidney function and health from 9.30 am-3.30 pm on 25 May. “Kidney Health Week is the perfect opportunity for people to think about their health and seek advice on how to prevent serious illness,” said Professor Lawrence McMahon, Eastern Health’s Director, Department of Renal Medicine.

With one in three Australians at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease, KHA encourages people to act on any issues immediately to prevent the onset of renal failure.

Adults are at increased risk if they:

• Have diabetes
• Have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Are obese
• Have a family history of chronic kidney disease
• Are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
• Are over 50 years of age
• Are smokers

People who live in Melbourne’s east, outer-east and Yarra Ranges areas now have access to local services after the establishment of the Eastern Health Integrated Renal Service (EHIRS).

EHIRS is an independent service that provides comprehensive care for people suffering kidney disease and end-stage renal failure. The service has recently been expanded and now includes:

• An inpatient renal ward at Box Hill Hospital
• Four Eastern Health satellite haemodialysis units located at Angliss Hospital, Box Hill Hospital, Peter James Centre and Maroondah Hospital
• Outpatient clinics at Box Hill, Maroondah and Angliss Hospitals

The service provides pre-dialysis management, pre- and post-transplant care, inpatient dialysis, acute and emergency dialysis, 24-hour on call medical support, home dialysis education and management of the various complications that can arise from kidney disease.

Media information: Ashlea Milner, Eastern Health Communications & Community Relations, ph 03 9895 4879 or 0439 371 084