Minister of Health opens New Renal Unit in Manukau

19.02.09

The Hon Tony Ryall opened the new Renal Unit at the Manukau Super Clinic this week during his first visit to the Counties Manukau District Health Board. The state-of-the art unit will cater for the growing demand for renal dialysis services within the Counties Manukau region.

The region already services 430 dialysis patients, a quarter of all the dialysis patients in New Zealand. Demand for dialysis is expected to grow fuelled by rising obesity and chronic disease such as Type 2 Diabetes.

According to Geraint Martin, CEO of the Counties Manukau District Health Board the new unit is part of a great step forward in providing high-quality patient care in the region.  “It is important to spread the message about managing obesity and diabetes to attempt the rising demand but this unit will provide excellent service to our patients who need care now,” says Mr Geraint Martin.
Counties Manukau DHB has spearheaded some of the most innovative and efficient approaches to managing the growth in demand for dialysis in New Zealand with the needs of patients in mind. The region also has the fastest growing home dialysis programme in the country.

Currently, there are seven medical specialists, five clinical nurse specialists just under 100 dialysis nurses and technicians, and a range of allied health personnel who work to keep the Counties Manukau DHB dialysis service up and running.