KIDNEY HEALTH CONSUMER EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

Our Kidney Health Forums - are an excellent opportunity to gain practical information and understanding about managing nutrition and lifestyle options when living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Share your personal experience and ideas.

Introducing our KHA Health Program Managers

For more info on kidney health education forums and support groups active in your state, contact:.

New South Wales - Stephen Anderson at 02 9299 4599 or nsw@kidney.org.au
Queensland - Annie Revell on 0412 162 618  or qld@kidney.org.au
Sth Australia - Kidney Health Info Service 1800 4 KIDNEY - 1800 4 543639 or sa@kidney.org.au
Tasmania (Hobart & Launceston) - Sarah Challenor at 03 6348 7533 or tas@kidney.org.au
Victoria - Annette Smith at 03 9674 4305 or vic@kidney.org.au
Western Australia - Jenny Duggan or Colin Finch at 08 99381 9311 or wa@kidney.org.au

National Health Programs Manager - Anne Revell on 1800 4 KIDNEY (1800 4 543 639)
Support Group Co-ordinator - Matty Hempstalk on 0404 177 748

Some support groups are listed bottom of this page. If your Kidney Support Group is not listed in the spreadsheet below or on our website, contact Matty Hempstalk.

KIDNEY EDUCATION WORKSHOPS

TASMANIA

Get the Most Out of Life - Stanford Chronic Disease Self Management Program
Developed by Dr Kate Lorig, Virginia González and Diana Laurent
Effective and popular free program - call 1800 359 589 to find out dates for next program as bookings are essential. Gold coin donation goes to the provision of refreshments. Suitable for anyone with a long term health condition - supporters and carers are welcome to attend with you.

Practical skills for people with ongoing health problems
1.    How to manage your symptoms
2.    The benefits of healthy eating and exercise
3.    How to communicate effectively with your doctor and healthcare team
4.    How to manage difficult emotions
5.    How to make daily tasks easier
6.    Setting reachable goals
7.    How to get more out of life

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): What you and your family need to know
WA Renal Education Services (WARES) in partnership with Kidney Health Australia
Call Jenny Duggan or Colin Finch at 08 99381 9311 or wa@kidney.org.au

KIDNEY CARE 1: Making a Difference, Keeping Healthy and Feeling Good
Renal education program for people with mild to moderate kidney disease - how to manage kidney health. 2012 dates: Saturdays - 25 February 2012 and 25 August 2012

KIDNEY CARE 2: Treatment Choices
Renal education program for people with moderate to severe kidney disease - treatment options
2012 dates: Saturdays - 24 March 2012, 23 June 2012 and 20 October 2012  

Fremantle Hospital: Sandie Porter - 08 9431 3683
Royal Perth Hospital: Rebecca Bartlett - 08 9224 3819
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital: Lotta Ekstrom - 08 9346 1665

Proudly supported by: Kidney Health Australia, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Fremantle Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital - If unsure which hospital you are affiliated with, ask your doctor. Also see WA Department of Health Consumer Self Management and recent news from WA Renal Health Network. 

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KIDNEY SUPPORT GROUPS IN AUSTRALIA

Kidney Health Support Groups - are especially for people with all levels of kidney failure, from acute to chronic, for those with chronic kidney disease and on dialysis, those who have been transplanted, or those with one or multiple health conditions which can or have caused kidney function impairment.

Social networking and Support Groups - no one is prepared for the changes ahead when your life is altered due to an illness. Both the patient and their family can benefit greatly from attending a support group and just listening to people who have experience with kidney disease. You may want to pass on your thoughts as well.

Benefits of joining a Support Group

• After listening to other people in a group who share a common experience, you learn you are not ‘unique’, and that others are living with the same difficulties you experience.
• You learn from others about how to cope with and manage your daily needs, how to provide appropriate and effective care, and learn how you can more easily live with your condition.
• You learn to laugh with others, and at yourself, to form friendships with others like yourself.
• You learn about various resources available and how others solve problems you are experiencing.

Kidney Related Support Groups in Australia (see spreadsheet below for broader list)
Some meetings are listed on our Calendar of Events. If you know of a support group and want to list here, email community@kidney.org.au with a description of your group, its name and contact details. This includes Facebook Support Groups, which are a constantly growing area of social networking.

NEW SOUTH WALES - Eurobodalla Renal Support & Organ Donor Awarenesss
This group is very active and hold regular meetings at Bridge Plaza, Batemans Bay. Call Brad Rossiter on 0458 534 470 or email ersg.oda2536@hotmail.com  for more info.

QUEENSLAND - KHA Support Group in South Brisbane
Future meetings will be held at the Norman Park Bowls Club, contact Matty Hempstalk 0404 177 748.
To join email matty.hempstalk@kidney.org.au with your request and contact details.

TASMANIA - Tamar Renal Support Group
This group meets regularly in George Town, 50km north of Launceston on the 4th Saturday of the month at Belle's Tea Room, Macquarie Street, George Town at 10.15 am. If interested in joining, contact Kelvin on 0428 617 697.

VICTORIA - Goulburn Valley Kidney Support Group
If interested in joining this group contact Carmel Chaston on 03 5795 2541.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Renal Support Group South West WA (Bunbury) 
Also a Facebook group - send your request to join this group to their administrator at renalsupportWA@groups.facebook.com or contact Lulu Paxton on 0417 182 811.