Future Townsville Hospital kidney transplant unit to save on trips down to Brisbane

North Queensland’s kidney patients won’t have to stay down in Brisbane while receiving transplants thanks to this game-changing announcement.

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THE announcement that Queensland’s second Kidney Transplant Unit would be established at the Townsville University Hospital has brought fresh hope to the region’s kidney patients like David Walsh.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said on Wednesday that the Townsville was picked ahead of Cairns for the surgical component of the expanded service after an expert panel considered the proposed sites.

It meant that North Queenslanders wouldn’t need to stay in Brisbane for a kidney transplant during their pre and post-operative care.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath with dialysis patient David Walsh. Picture: Supplied.

Heatley resident and dialysis patient Mr Walsh was delighted after reading about the news.

“When I read it, I thought ‘good one’. A transplant service will go a long way,” Mr Walsh said.

“It’s exciting, it’s good news; I was actually really pumped about hearing it.

“Dialysis is challenging; it tests you. I’ve had to change the way I eat, the way I live. It’s a lifestyle change.”

Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said the renal transplant service announcement was a milestone moment for the hospital and he was delighted for the community.

“Offering this service locally will, happily, keep North Queenslanders with end-stage renal failure that much closer to home,” Mr Keyes said.

“Meeting patients like Mr Walsh is a reminder that although much of my day is spent mired in budgets and business cases, our whole purpose is about looking after our patients as best we possibly can.

“Seeing how delighted Mr Walsh was and to share that joy with our renal and surgical staff was wonderful.”

Dr Vikas Srivastava, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath, dialysis patient David Walsh, Dr Michelle Harfield, Dr Valli Manickam and Dr George Kan. Picture: Supplied.

Townsville mayor Jenny Hill welcomed the State Government’s announcement.

“As North Queensland’s only university hospital, Townsville was the best option,” Cr Hill said.

“Kidney disease impacts North Queenslanders more than other communities across the state. The impact is even worse for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

‘Having a local kidney transplant unit will enhance the quality of life for people in Townsville and Northern Queensland, improving access and keeping them close to home while they receive lifesaving care.”

Acting Deputy Director-General Keith McNeil said the independent panel decided to locate the second renal transplant program in Townsville largely based on Townsville’s university-hospital status.

It was also due to “the comprehensive nature of the clinical services that it’s able to provide in back up to transplantation, which is a highly specialised endeavour”.

Originally published as Future Townsville Hospital kidney transplant unit to save on trips down to Brisbane