$160,000 Dialysis Unit Investment for Wilcannia Hospital

New renal dialysis service to include ECG machine, virtual care unit and infection control equipment

IN SHORT

• Wilcannia Multi-Purpose Service will receive $160,000 for clinical equipment for a new renal dialysis unit, including an ECG machine, virtual care unit and infection control equipment
• The investment is part of a $1.9 million upgrade package for Far West health facilities announced by the NSW Government
• The new dialysis service will allow local patients to receive treatment close to home rather than travelling long distances, particularly benefiting a community with high rates of chronic kidney disease

Wilcannia Multi-Purpose Service is set to receive $160,000 worth of clinical equipment for a new renal dialysis unit currently being developed at the facility.

The investment forms part of a broader $1.9 million upgrade package for Far West health facilities, with the Wilcannia dialysis unit representing a significant expansion of local health services.

The funding will deliver key clinical equipment including an ECG machine, a dedicated virtual care unit for clinical support, and a pan sanitiser to meet infection prevention and control guidelines.

The new dialysis service addresses a critical gap in health care for the Wilcannia community and surrounding areas, where chronic kidney disease rates are significantly higher than state averages.

Currently, residents requiring regular dialysis treatment face long-distance travel to access services, placing enormous strain on patients and families.

The development of an on-site renal dialysis unit will allow local patients to receive life-saving treatment close to home, reducing the burden of travel and enabling better health outcomes through more consistent care.

Dialysis is a medical procedure that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when kidneys are no longer able to perform these functions adequately. Patients with end-stage renal disease or chronic kidney failure often require regular dialysis treatments multiple times per week.

The $1.9 million Far West health facilities upgrade package also includes $220,000 to repurpose a medical records room and unused bathroom at Wilcannia MPS into toilet and shower facilities for emergency department and palliative care patients.

Other projects across the district include $90,000 for a community walking track and memorial garden at Menindee Health Service for Aboriginal communities to place plants in remembrance, and $170,000 for three projects at White Cliffs Health Service to improve patient experiences and support staff safety.

For communities in Central Darling and surrounding shires, improved access to dialysis services represents a significant quality of life improvement for residents managing chronic kidney disease.

The virtual care unit component will enable Wilcannia clinical staff to access specialist support remotely, ensuring patients receive high-quality care despite the facility's remote location.

Construction timeframes for the new dialysis unit have not yet been announced.