What are the benefits of the program?
There are many advantages to having haemodialysis treatments at home including:
- Personalised haemodialysis treatment and care in the comfort of home, at no extra cost
- Choosing a treatment time that suits you
- Less disruption to family and daily life, and reduced reliance on carers or childcare
- An increased feeling of control over your treatment
- Less time (and money) travelling to, and waiting for, treatment at a hospital
- Increased feeling of control over your treatment
Clinical studies have also found that people who have dialysis at home are more likely to:
- Be able to work, or continue to work
- Have an improved quality of life
- Have fewer complications compared with people having haemodialysis in hospital.
How does the program work?
1. If you live in Greater Sydney or Greater Melbourne*, you can contact Dialysis Australia directly on 1800 994 244 if you would like to find out more about the program, or to let them know you are interested in participating. The Dialysis Australia team will carry out an assessment over the phone to determine if the program is suitable for you.
2. If the program is suitable for you, and you would like to participate, Dialysis Australia will do a Bupa eligibility check, to ensure that you are covered for haemodialysis treatment.
3. Your nephrologist must refer you to Dialysis Australia, stating that you are suitable for haemodialysis at home. You will remain in the care of your nephrologist, but Dialysis Australia will assist with your dialysis treatment at home.
4. The Dialysis Australia team will then contact your Local Dialysis Unit to arrange for you to temporarily transfer there for dialysis treatment while the Dialysis Australia team arranges the installation of the dialysis machine in your home. This will require a new power point and some plumbing. This will all be done at no financial cost to you.
5. Once the dialysis machine is set up in your home, you will no longer need to have your dialysis at your Local Dialysis Unit. Instead, a Dialysis Australia nurse will visit you at home to help you with your dialysis treatment and monitor you.
6. Dialysis Australia will consult with, and update, your nephrologist and local dialysis unit ongoingly.
7. If you would like to self-dialyse (i.e. perform a full dialysis session at home without a Dialysis Australia nurse with you), Dialysis Australia will train you how to do this, once you have started receiving haemodialysis at home, and Dialysis Australia have confirmed that you are a suitable candidate.
8. Every now and then, Dialysis Australia may ask you to fill out a survey asking about your experience of their service and the Dialysis Choices Program.
Who is eligible for the program?
To be eligible for the program, you must meet all the criteria below:
- You must live in Greater Sydney or Greater Melbourne*.
- You must require ongoing haemodialysis for chronic kidney disease.
- Your nephrologist must refer you to Dialysis Australia, and state that you are suitable for home dialysis.
- You must consent to be in the program.
- You must hold a domestic Bupa Hospital product that includes cover for dialysis for chronic kidney failure.
- You must have served any relevant waiting periods (e.g. 12 months for pre-existing conditions).
- Your Bupa Hospital Policy must be paid up to date throughout your treatment.
*Subject to service availability
Want to find out more?
If you’d like to find out more about the program, or whether you are eligible, please contact Dialysis Australia on 1800 994 244, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, or email them at: homedialysis@dialysisaustralia.com.au
Other related resources:
References
Kidney Health Australia – A model for home dialysis (2012).
Mowatt et al, Systematic review home versus hospital or satellite unit haemodialysis for people with end-stage renal failure (2004).
Disclaimer
Fund, policy, wait periods and program eligibility rules apply.
This program page provides resources and health information as a guide only, not as a substitute for medical advice or a professional endorsement. If you think you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department.