Kowanyama Renal Dialysis unit

Black Star Radio’s Mark Hogan talks with Dr. Frank Grainers about a new four-chair supported renal haemodialysis unit will be established at Kowanyama next year.

Construction for the new Kowanyama unit will start mid-next year after the wet season and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service is developing a model of care that will allow dialysis services at Kowanyama to be delivered with the support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners with advanced training in kidney health.

There are also plans to begin training and support of other health practitioners for all of the health service’s remote dialysis services and other specialist services.

The funding for the new Kowanyama dialysis unit was initially announced as part of a $27.7 million state government 2020 election commitment for the expansion of Queensland rural and remote dialysis services.

On December 1, 2022, a further $6.35 million capital funding was approved, bringing the total commitment to $34.2 million.