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We proudly present an outline of our services and programs which is just some of the important work we do within our kidney community.
Kidney Health Australia's Mission and Vision is to promote good kidney health through education, advocacy, research and support, to save and improve the lives of Australians affected by kidney disease.
Our work in our kidney community helps people living with kidney disease, their carers and family members, kidney donors and recipients, through the provision of information, essential skills, education and support during each phase of the health and wellness pathway. Refer: All about the work of Kidney Health Australia
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KIDNEY HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICE (KHIS)
We provide a free phone support service Australia wide, for people living with and/or affected by kidney and urinary disease. Email your queries to khis@kidney.org.au
National Relay Service www.relayservice.com.au - Government initiative to assist callers with hearing problems
Calls are answered by a trained receptionist (first listen to heath disclaimer about the process to register a call). The simple details of your query are sent to a Health Service Manager. If our Health Manager is unable to reach the caller, a maximum of 3 calls over a 48 hour period will be made to respond to your request.
It is important to note this service does not provide specific medical advice. Should the caller require further information or education, they are advised to consult their doctor or health professional.
We are interested in your suggestions! If you have an idea for a program which could assist our kidney community, then send suggestions to our KHIS Manager, - email khis@kidney.org.au
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 OUR KIDNEY HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS
We can help you become an 'expert patient'
By putting the pieces together, many patients become 'experts' as they learn a set of life skills to cope with and manage their chronic conditions. As a discerning patient learn the elements of how to locate and refer only to high quality evidence-based education. Our websites should be your first reference as we do the work for you. Increasing evidence shows that with proper support, people with a chronic condition can take the lead in managing their condition which improves their health, quality of life, and reduces incapacity.
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Our health websites offer evidence-based health information
www.kidney.org.au * www.kidneycancer.org.au * www.homedialysis.org.au
Each of these sites provide reliable, up to date, evidence based health education resources to support and educate members of our Australian kidney community. Each of our website ranks highly against our peers, in both Australian and global kidney communities.
Website Authorship
For more extensive details about our kidney health education resources and authorship, refer to our webpage - Legal & Copyright.
Our Kidney Health Australia - Website Advisory and Editorial team
This site complies with HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
Kidney Health Australia is an approved health partner of 
Find out how to research health information online
Refer to our Using the Web for detailed information to locate reliable evidence based health education resources. Our websites enhance information we present onsite by linking to relevant external organisations in our Recommended Weblinks - a list of reviewed organisations and websites which compliment the health education resources we produce.
Use our specail Resource Order Form to order any of our Kidney Health Resources
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Australian Dialysis Unit Guide online - The DUG online
This online directory provides accurate location and contact details for public and private Renal and Dialysis Units in Australia. It is useful for referrals, to help with relocation or travel, or arrange short term stays. If considering travel with any chonic condition, you should refer to our Dialysis and Travel webpage before you start planning your travel.
Australian Holiday Dialysis Konnections - Dialysis Chair Swap Program
Connects individuals on dialysis in locations across Australia, to arrange travel interstate for a special occasion, or enjoy a well earned holiday. Kidney Health Australia simply facilitates an exchange of contact information with other registered dialysis patients, who wish to swap their 'dialysis chair' space. Dialysis Unit staff must agree to and participate in the swap arrangement.
WHAT IS OUR KIDNEY CONNECT PROGRAM?
Kidney Connect is Kidney Health Australia’s umbrella support program for people with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their carers and family members. Kidney Connect consists of the Kidney Care Program and the Peer Support Program, as outlined below. Refer to Families and Carers webpage.
Kidney Care Program
This program currently provides support to people undergoing dialysis treatment via the following initiative:
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Dialysis Support Service
The Dialysis Support Service provides support and companionship to people undergoing haemodialysis treatment in renal units throughout Australia by trained Kidney Care Volunteers. These volunteers are recruited, trained, supported and managed by Kidney Health Australia. These volunteers are not required to have experience with kidney disease, however, they are sensitive and supportive to the needs of these people. Contact the Health Services Manager in your state for more information.
Peer Support Program
The Peer Support Program currently provides support to people living with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their carers and family members via the following initiative:
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TelEConnect
This program provides support to people living with kidney disease, donors and recipients, their carers and family members by connecting them with trained Peer Support Volunteers who have similar experiences, through a national telephone and/or email peer support service.
These Peer Support Volunteers are recruited, trained, supported and managed by Kidney Health Australia. They have personal experience with kidney disease and have made a positive adjustment to their experience with a chronic condition. These volunteers share practical and useful ways of managing and assuming responsibility for their health and wellness with their peers and empower them to become active members of their health care team.
 Kidney Health Education Forums
For kidney patients, carers and health professionals
Kidney Health Education Forums provide support to people living with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their carers and family. Some are specifically for health professionals. Others are organised collaboratively, with local organisations, making it easier for patients to attend and enable a wider range of topics.
Self-Management Program
This form of education provides members of our kidney community with information, essential skills and support during each phase of the health and wellness pathway. See Living with Kidney Failure.
Kidney Clubs and Support Groups
Groups are listed on our Kidney Community webpage. If your interact with a Kidney Support Group in your area not listed, contact Matty Hempstalk - our Support Group Co-ordinator on 0404 177 748.
OUR CAMPS, CAPERS & OTHER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Camps, Capers and Holiday Activities
Kidney Health Australia's Recreation Camps are organised for Kidney Kids and adults who have kidney disease, who are on dialysis and/or who have received a transplant.
Kidney Kids Camp
For kids aged between 7 and 17 years affected by kidney disease
An annual 5 day camp conducted in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania on a 12–18 month rotational basis with the aim of national implementation in the near future.
Kidney Capers and Adult Holidays
Action-packed daytime fun-filled program to give Kidney Kids and their parents/carers an opportunity for social networking and a welcome break from normal routine.
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WA Adult Holiday Dialysis Program
Families applying, who fit the set criteria, receive an annual week's holiday break in beautiful south-west Busselton, Western Australia using a temporary dialysis unit.
If you have a question about any of our programs, contact your local
Kidney Health Australia Branch Office or call our KHIS line - 1800 4 543 639
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 WHY MEMBERSHIP OF OUR KIDNEY COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT?
One voice speaks louder!
Once registered with our Kidney Community, you will receive a monthly issue of our Kidney Community News allowing you access to:
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information and invitations to KHA's education and support activities
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updates on medical research in kidney disease, on clinical trials and research opportunities
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information on advocacy opportunities and government relations issues
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information on community and corporate events held by Kidney Health Australia
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personal profiles on key identities in our kidney community
To become a member of Kidney Health Australia's Kidney Community simply email your request with your full contact details to subscribe@kidney.org.au
ADVOCACY & CONSUMER PARTICIPATION
 Being a member of our Kidney Community enables you to be informed and updated on issues that our National and State Consumer Councils are working on.
Working with members of our kidney community, Consumer Councils can identify and are informed of, issues affecting individuals living with kidney and urinary tract disease, their families and carers. Kidney Health Australia will advocate and manage these issues to try to find a solution or help in some way.
Refer to Consumer Participation * You Can Help?
Policy & Advocacy
Kidney Health Australia is always working in the background on advocacy issues that concern our kidney community. Refer to our Policy and Advocacy web page
To find out more about Kidney Health Australia’s public submissions on key policy consultation opportunities, at both a State and Territory and Federal level. Further information regarding recent announcements regarding health policy can be found on Kidney Health Australia Media Releases.
 Organ Donation Awareness
Kidney Health Australia actively encourages Australians to consider organ donation. Kidney Health Australia does not manage organ and tissue donation, registration, or retrieval and transplantation of organs. Enquiries are referred to the Organ Donor Registry, to DonateLife or other relevant agencies.
Family Accommodation Initiative - Transplant Housing
Our F.A.I.T.H. Program provides furnished homes for families who need to travel to Perth for live kidney donation and transplantation - accommodation they may not otherwise afford.
OUR PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
KHA-CARI Guidelines (Caring for Australians with Renal Impairment)
KHA-CARI Guidelines offers evidence based clinical practice guidelines based on the best available evidence and effectiveness.
 Kidney Check Australia Taskforce (KCAT)
KCAT is our primary care education program for health professionals - GPs, practice nurses, pharmacists and allied health practitioners.
KCAT is the only Australian chronic kidney disease program designed specifically for general practice. KCAT has a fully accredited suite of teaching modules, developed with experts and each module is designed to assist with developing skills in the detection and management of CKD. Workshops are provided FREE to Divisions of General Practice in Australia.
Information presented at these workshops aligns with our current version of the
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management in General Practice (2nd edition) booklet
Kidney Health Australia's Medical Research Funding Program
Kidney Health Australia manages a medical research program which has provided well over $30 million for medical research conducted in Australian hospitals, institutions and universities. Refer to the full guidelines and information the KHA Medical and Science Scholarships and Research Grants available, and details of research projects funded by this program>
OUR CONNECTIONS TO THE GLOBAL KIDNEY COMMUNITY
www.ifkf.org
The IFKF is a not for profit organisation with Council Members representing kidney foundations, patient groups and organisation from our 'kidney' community across the world. Kidney Health Australia has been a proud Council Member since its creation in 2000 and has done much to help it grow since. The IFKF Secretariat was hosted in Australia for over 10 years and is now located in Amsterdam.
 The next and 9th World Kidney Day will be held Thursday 13 March 2014
Kidney Health Australia - World Kidney Day provides local information to support activities in the Australian kidney community.
World Kidney Day held 2nd Thursday in March - collaborative project of the IFKF and International Society of Nephrology (ISN). For more info and resources, check global website www.worldkidneyday.org or email info@worldkidneyday.org
UPDATED 12 MAY 2013
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