Renal services
Renal services
Renal or kidney disease is when your kidneys fail to function normally. Kidney disease is often related to diabetes but it can also be found in people who:
- are of Māori and Pacific heritage
- are over the age of 50
- have high blood pressure
- have family history of kidney disease
- smoke
- have renal failure.
Our renal service is part of the Midland Regional Renal Unit.
We offer two satellite dialysis units at Tauranga Hospital and Whakatāne Hospital, with a central peritoneal dialysis (PD) training unit based at Waikato Hospital.
Home haemodialysis training is done for patients using home dialysis. Pre-dialysis and transplant services are also based at the Renal Unit.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is when nearly all kidney function is lost. The patient will probably need to meet with a specialist to discuss treatment options such as dialysis.
There are two types of dialysis - haemodialysis and peritoneal.
Haemodialysis is when your blood is filtered by a machine. The blood is pumped out and then returned, cleansed, to your body.
Peritoneal dialysis is when a sugar-based (PD) fluid is put into your abdominal cavity through a tube so your waste products can diffuse into it, after which it is removed.
We provide several options for having dialysis treatment depending on factors such as whether you have early or chronic kidney failure, or are able to self-manage your dialysis.
Our specialist will meet with you and, if necessary, refer you to a pre-dialysis nurse to discuss the most appropriate way to treat your kidney disease.
Patients who are trained to independently have haemodialysis at home are supported by renal nurses, doctors and technical staff.
For patients in the early stages of renal failure, pre-dialysis nurses give support and education to patients in their homes and refer them to a dietitian and the renal social worker to promote well-being.
Our nephrology service provides consultant clinics to patients with kidney problems.
Patients will have their kidney transplant at Waikato Hospital and receive pre- and post-transplant care mainly through Bay of Plenty community clinics.
Kidney transplant is another option. The kidney could be donated by a living donor or someone who has died.
The New Zealand Kidney Foundation website has more information about organ donation, transplantation, kidney disease and treatments.