Patricia Kennedy has her life changed by Charters Towers hospital dialysis

A Charters Towers grandmother says she is eating and looking better since the opening of a dialysis unit in town. See why avoiding Townsville has such a big impact.

Charters Towers grandmother Patricia Kennedy is happy to wave Townsville goodbye.

For years she travelled on a bus to Townsville three times a week for life saving renal dialysis treatment in hospital – now, she only has to walk down the street.

Mrs Kennedy said all the travel was taking a toll on her.

“Travelling on the bus three days a week for my dialysis was very draining; I wasn’t eating properly, I was always getting sick, and it usually took me a day to recover from my treatment,” she said.

“Getting my dialysis here at Charters Towers Health Service has been a blessing … now, I can walk to and from my appointments and I’m able to get home to see the grandkids after they finish school.”

Charters Towers Health Service clinical nurse Leonie Pardon, Patricia Kennedy and clinical nurse Sharna Duffy.

Mrs Kennedy suffers from kidney failure, which causes extreme fatigue, nausea, confusion, skin swelling and poor appetite.

She’s been getting dialysis since 2020, and teamed up with Traeger MP Robbie Katter to campaign for a dialysis service in Charters Towers.

In mid-2022, the dialysis finally arrived.

Patricia Kennedy in 2020 with KAP's Robbie Katter outside Townsville University Hospital. Picture: Matt Taylor

A current director of the Jupiter Mosman Housing Company, Mrs Kennedy said her friends and family had noticed a dramatic improvement in her health. and wellbeing since the local service opened.

“I get so many compliments now from people saying how well I look compared to before; it’s been wonderful,” she said.

Patricia Kennedy in 2020 when her dialysis began, requiring three trips to Townsville every week. Picture: Matt Taylor

Mrs Kennedy spends 12 hours a week at the Charters Towers satellite dialysis unit, and said time flies by thanks to the wonderful staff.

“We just have a ball when we’re in here because the team is so amazing with the care and support they provide,” Mrs Kennedy said.

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Fellow Charters Towers resident and renal patient Steven Murphy has experienced a similar quality of life improvement.

“When I used to travel to Townsville for treatment, it really knocked me around,” Mr Murphy said.

“But now, I can just drive to and from the hospital here in Charters Towers to get my dialysis, and I’m feeling so much better for it.”

Charters Towers Health Service director of nursing Katrina Ford said the community reaction to the service had been very positive.

“It’s wonderful that we can provide this service right here in our community,” Ms Ford said.

Patients with low levels of kidney failure can receive dialysis at home, while others need hospital-level dialysis several times a week.

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service operates five ‘satellite’ dialysis units in the region: Charters Towers, Ingham, Home Hill, Palm Island and North Ward (Townsville).

Originally published as Patricia Kennedy has her life changed by Charters Towers hospital dialysis