In November 2023, Monash Health commissioned its new Kingston Satellite Dialysis Unit, showcasing innovative, multi-purpose design and adaptation based on our most important learnings from the recent global pandemic.
This new Dialysis Unit provides a much-needed expansion to support the dialysis needs of our local communities, bringing services closer to home for up to 48 patients. Features include:
- Brand new, purpose-built facility with 12 patient treatment stations
- State-of-the-art design
- On-site service for Kingston Rehabilitation patients, so no more travelling to Monash Medical Centre Clayton
- New model of care for patients
- Increases opportunities for home dialysis and transplant
“We’ve worked closely with our Monash Health Capital Projects team to deliver this brand-new facility, which features negative air flow and an incredibly flexible unit design,” said Professor Peter Kerr, Head of Nephrology.
“We can adjust the unit orientation and air flow depending on our patient cohorts and make it as safe and comfortable for patients as possible.
“Our Monash Health Nephrology team has a very strong focus on our patients’ experiences of care, so we are developing a new model of care for people in our region who are starting dialysis for the first time. With support from Safer Care Victoria and our incredibly dedicated team, our dialysis patients are helping us to design and pilot this new Dialysis Transitional Care Unit at Kingston.
“Once we get it right, we can roll out the model to other sites, so taking this new service out to the communities where our patients live. Our mission is to provide the best service possible by incorporating what our patients tell us matters most to them during what can be a stressful time,” Professor Kerr said.
Patient input will be ongoing so that the service team can really refine and continuously improve services for them over years to come. “We know that adapting to life with dialysis can be challenging, so we genuinely want to work with our patients moving forward to support them on their personal journeys, promote well-being and independence, hopefully enable more people to dialyse at home and prepare those who are suitable for transplantation as soon as possible,” Professor Kerr said.
The new unit will also provide an on-site dialysis service for Kingston rehabilitation patients. Previously, these patients required transfer to and from Monash Medical Centre Clayton for dialysis three times per week. This new on-site service avoids approximately 350 patient transfers per year and so is expected to significantly reduce fatigue and rehabilitation time for these patients.
“This new unit meets the growing demand for dialysis services and does so in a way that puts the patient at the centre of the model of care. We’re very proud to roll out this new service at the Kingston Centre,” Professor Kerr said.
Approved by Stuart Cavill, Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Aged and Rehabilitation and Allied Health Adult Inpatient Care