❓ Question regarding the Renal Dialysis Package in Karratha and Geraldton, focusing on funding, treatment capacity, staffing, Indigenous access, and preventative programs. The answer provides details on chair numbers, staffing strategies, service delivery, and existing programs.
AnsweredQoN 462Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the 2025-26 State Budget Paper No. 2, Volume 1, page 323, and the “Renal Dialysis Package – Karratha and Geraldton” line item, and I ask: (a) With the Government announcing $1million funding for project planning, will it be delivered within this term of Government; (b) How many extra treatment chairs will this funding deliver; (c) How many additional staff are required to deliver treatment; (d) What attraction and retention strategies will be employed to recruit staff; (e) What options are there for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to receive treatment on country or as close as possible to community through the WA Country Health Service; and (f) What preventative programs are being offered throughout the Midwest to stem renal failure before it occurs?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 September 2025
Responded by
Minister for Health Infrastructure
Response time
7 days
(a – c) Project planning will inform staffing requirements and commissioning. The funding will deliver 13 extra chairs.
d) There are a range of measures deployed by the Department of Health to attract and retain staff including supported accommodation, relocation cost reimbursement and allowances. Additionally, there are several initiatives such as specialised training and upskill programs offered to staff working in regional Western Australia.
e) WA Country Health Service provides dialysis services at 13 sites across country WA as well as supporting specialist nephrologist services to the four respite dialysis units operated by Purple House.
The statewide home-based dialysis program provides opportunities for independent, medically stable, and motivated patients to receive self-administered dialysis treatments in their home environment.
Where the home environment is not suitable home Haemodialysis machines may be set up in a community facility such as a health centre, known as community supported home Haemodialysis.
f) The Midwest Regional Renal Support Team (RSST), based at Geraldton Health Campus, works in collaboration with the WACHS Health Promotion Team, primary care providers and Non-Government Organisations to slow or halt the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease to End Stage Kidney Disease. The RRST Service is focused on the continuum of care for Chronic Kidney Disease: prevention, early detection, secondary prevention, education and transition to dialysis, renal transplant and/or renal supportive care.
The RRST also conducts outreach clinics across the Midwest and in collaboration with Aboriginal Medical Services or other nongovernment health care providers.
Additionally, the Integrated Chronic Disease Care Program in the Midwest/Murchison and Gascoyne partners with General Practitioners and provides care coordination and multidisciplinary healthcare for people who have diabetes, cardiovascular or respiratory conditions and need help to access services.
Finally, the Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service also runs programs to address the risk factors associated with Chronic Kidney Disease.
d) There are a range of measures deployed by the Department of Health to attract and retain staff including supported accommodation, relocation cost reimbursement and allowances. Additionally, there are several initiatives such as specialised training and upskill programs offered to staff working in regional Western Australia.
e) WA Country Health Service provides dialysis services at 13 sites across country WA as well as supporting specialist nephrologist services to the four respite dialysis units operated by Purple House.
The statewide home-based dialysis program provides opportunities for independent, medically stable, and motivated patients to receive self-administered dialysis treatments in their home environment.
Where the home environment is not suitable home Haemodialysis machines may be set up in a community facility such as a health centre, known as community supported home Haemodialysis.
f) The Midwest Regional Renal Support Team (RSST), based at Geraldton Health Campus, works in collaboration with the WACHS Health Promotion Team, primary care providers and Non-Government Organisations to slow or halt the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease to End Stage Kidney Disease. The RRST Service is focused on the continuum of care for Chronic Kidney Disease: prevention, early detection, secondary prevention, education and transition to dialysis, renal transplant and/or renal supportive care.
The RRST also conducts outreach clinics across the Midwest and in collaboration with Aboriginal Medical Services or other nongovernment health care providers.
Additionally, the Integrated Chronic Disease Care Program in the Midwest/Murchison and Gascoyne partners with General Practitioners and provides care coordination and multidisciplinary healthcare for people who have diabetes, cardiovascular or respiratory conditions and need help to access services.
Finally, the Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service also runs programs to address the risk factors associated with Chronic Kidney Disease.
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