New program aims to tackle kidney transplant failures in youth

A GROUNDBREAKING new program run out of Melbourne will be launched to tackle the shocking number of kidney transplant failures in young adults across the country.

A GROUNDBREAKING program run from Melbourne will be launched to tackle the shocking number of kidney transplant failures in young adults across the country.

About 500 patients, aged between 15 and 24, throughout Australia will be given peer support groups, online forums, hotlines and meetings to help them manage their transition from paediatric care to adult hospitals.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt will on Friday commit almost $1 million to establish the Australian-first program, which could be rolled out to all young patients with advanced kidney disease and be extended to other chronic diseases.

DRUG TO GET PATIENTS OFF DIALYSIS BOOSTED BY GRANT

WOMAN DONATES KIDNEY TO EX-PARTNER

ROYAL MELBOURNE HOSPITAL FREES PATIENTS FROM DIALYSIS

Grant Monks, 25, gets dialysis at Alfred Health at Caulfield Hospital. Picture: Ian Currie

Teenagers and young adults have the worst results for kidney transplant failure of any age group under 70, with more than a third of their transplants failing within five years. The young patients, who as children receive dedicated one-on-one attention in paediatric care, regularly struggle when they transfer to adult healthcare at the age of 18.

The Turnbull Government will give $800,000 to Kidney Health Australia, a national healthcare charity with headquarters in Melbourne, to establish the support program.

Melbourne resident Grant Monks, 25, was diagnosed with kidney disease as a toddler and has received two failed kidney transplants.

He now has to go to hospital three times a week for dialysis and said many young ­patients struggled to transition from paediatric care to adult hospitals. “At the children’s hospital, there’s a lot of compassion and empathy for kids,” Mr Monks said.

[e-mail]