Dialysis Konnections - Australian Dialysis Chair Exchange Program
This program has been set up to help dialysis patents and their families to 'konnect', to organise travel - to take a respite break, enjoy interstate travel or a holiday.
Register for our new pilot program to connect with others privately to arrange a 'dialysis chair swap'. Your renal staff must agree to this chair swap. We've made this private, simple and easy.
STEP 1 - REGISTER Send us your Letter of Registration signed by your nephrologist and dialysis unit staff which confirms your health is stable and you can travel. (You may be asked to complete a more detailed request from the Dialysis Unit). Use our Australian Dialysis Unit Guide to locate an Australian renal and dialysis unit.
STEP 2 - ADVERTISE When we receive your signed registration letter, which should include details of your travel wish, we simply register your area of dialysis in the Dialysis Konnections Register (see below). The exact location iof your dialysis unite is not identified - only areas and regions are noted. You can request a couple of locations, but can only accept one 'konnection' at a time.
STEP 3 - RECOGNITION Another haemodialysis patient wishing to travel (who must also be registered under the same criteria) sees your travel wish details and location on the Konnections Register.
STEP 4 - CONTACT A registrant then makes contact with KHA (phone1800 4 543 639 - ask for Teresa or email info@kidney.org.au) requesting a 'Konnection'.
STEP 5 - EXCHANGE When you are identified as a registrant with a matching travel wish, we help you 'connect' with your possible dialysis chair swap partner privately, to refine plans, dates etc. You each then confirm plans for a 'swap' for an agreed time period with your individual dialysis unit contact to confirm and complete the arrangements.
Keep in mind - some dialysis units may:
- have temporary vacancies for a set period
- may require patient screening for communicable diseases, before an exchange can be approved
- try to keep chairs for holiday patients *Refer Dialysis and Travel for these Aussie Dialysis Units.
To register - send your Letter of Registration with details of your travel wish:
Teresa Taylor - Dialysis Konnections
Kidney Health Australia
GPO Box 9993, Adelaide SA 5001
SPREAD THE WORD! This is a new pilot program which we feel will help you enjoy a holiday - we need your help to promote the 'chair swap' program amongst your dialysis buddies and renal unit staff. If any steps seem unclear, contact Teresa by phone 08 8334 7509 info@kidney.org.au
Important things to consider
- Talk to your dialysis unit staff or nephrologist before you start to plan any holiday. Ask them if they feel you could enter into this program.
- You may need to be flexible around your original plans to come to an agreement on exchange dates. You will need to swap exact treatment times with each other.
- When you register, you agree to allow your name and contact details to be given to another registered program patient who has shown interest in discussing an exchange. Make sure you are comfortable with passing on your personal contact details to any suitable dialysis swap partners before registering.
- No private contact details or exactly locations of dialysis units will be listed of the Register below - an entry will only list a registrant's current location and desired destination (See example in Register below).
- Your dialysis unit will have access to the necessary paperwork to send your treatment/condition details to the other participating unit. There may be certain conditions where the other unit may not accept your treatment.
- You must check with your own dialysis unit prior to agreeing to an exchange of dialysis chairs.
- Illness, emergency situations in the dialysis unit or some other situation may arise, where one of the pair have no option but to cancel your agreed plans, preventing the exchange. You would be wise to consider some form of travel insurance, or personal cover and savings, should your travel plans be cancelled.
- Refer to Dialysis and Travel webpage for a list of Aussie Dialysis Units who may offer holiday dialysis chairs - and for international travel.
Disclaimer: Kidney Health Australia undertakes no responsibility for cancelled holiday exchanges or unusual circumstances that may evolve around this arrangement. Kidney Health Australia has no responsibility for any financial loss incurred by any cancelled or delayed dialysis exchange. All Kidney Health Australia will do is facilitate a safe exchange of contact details between those registered in this program. The remaining arrangements are up to you.
Dialysis Konnections Register - For Dialysis Chair Swap Program
Updated 7 September 2010