The Tasmanian Greens today marked Kidney Health Week by reiterating the need to implement the State Renal Plan, and called on the Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne, to detail progress in employing a Clinical Director to progress the Plan’s implementation.
Greens Health spokesperson Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran MP said by implementing the State Renal Plan, not only will it provide better services for Tasmanians at the three state facilities currently at or near capacity; it will create an estimated saving of $16 million to 2018 through a mix in modalities and increasing home-based therapies.
“The State Renal Plan has been under review since March last year with no tangible progress been made to date, and it is a complete flop that this plan which highlights many needed changes to our kidney health practices, is being left by the wayside,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“The Plan highlights that the demand on renal services in Tasmania is set to double by 2020, and also has the added benefit through changing the mix of modalities and increasing home-based care therapies, at providing potential savings of over $16 million could be saved.”
“Given this plan will aid the ongoing requirement of Tasmanians requiring dialysis and other kidney related therapies, and the tight budget times ahead, it is perplexing to see why this plan is still on the backburner.”
“Kidney Health Week is this 22-28 May 2011. There are 1 in 3 Tasmanians who are at risk of developing kidney disease, and Tasmania is heavily reliant on expensive satellite and in-centre haemodialysis models of care, which is exactly why the Minister needs to act on ensuring adequate resources are provided to implement the State Renal Plan,” Mr O’Halloran said.
All Three Tasmanian Dialysis Centres are At or Near Capacity Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran MP Greens Health spokesperson
