Alice Springs-based remote dialysis provider Purple House named NT’s Business of the Year

‘GAME-changing’ remote dialysis provider Purple House has been named the 2018 Telstra NT Business of the Year

Alice Springs artist Sarah Brown in front of her painting of the Kintore men's mountain. Sarah's exhibition 'Here' opens tonight at the Araluen Arts Centre, with all painting sales being donated to Purple House. June 28 2017. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

IT HAS been a big month for Alice-based remote dialysis provider Purple House.

A little over a week ago its plea to federal Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt for extra support for its valuable renal service resulted in $25 million in funding over the next four years.

The $25 million will provide operational funding for all Purple House activities across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.

It will also enable more Aboriginal people in Central Australia who suffer from kidney disease to receive dialysis on country or as near to their communities as possible.

Last night was the icing on the cake for Purple House when it was named the 2018 Telstra NT Business of the Year.

With western medicine and indigenous concepts of caring and wellbeing, Purple House has provided a new model of care for dialysis patients in remote Central Australian communities.

Chief executive Sarah Brown said Purple House gave indigenous people with end-stage renal failure hope by providing an in-community health service for people, who would otherwise have to move hundreds of kilometres from home.

“Families stay united, and traditional owners can look after their country,” she said.

“We’re not just saving people, we’re saving a way of life.”

Purple House also took out the Telstra NT social change maker award.

Telstra chief executive Andy Penn said Purple House had introduced a “game-changing model” to dialysis services nationally.

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“Purple House has made a significant impact on the healthcare system, and on the lives of the population living in regional communities,” he said.

The other winners are: HK Holistic Health Klub: 2018 Telstra Northern Territory Emerging & Energised Award winner; True North Strategic Communication: 2018 Telstra Northern Territory Small & Succeeding Award winner; Dreamedia Events: 2018 Telstra Northern Territory Medium & Making Waves Award winner.