We have provided below a brief outline of Kidney Health Australia Health Services and Programs to present some of the important work we do within our Australian kidney community. However we encourage you to email health@kidney.org.au to give us suggestions on how we can assist you.
A freecall telephone support service for people with, or affected by,
kidney and urinary disease
What is Kidney Health Information Service (KHIS)? This is Kidney Health Australia’s telephone support service for people living with and/or affected by Kidney and urinary disease. This is a freecall service offered throughout Australia. This service is utilised by the general public, carers, concerned relatives/friends, nurses, social workers, dieticians, occupational therapists, rehabilitation counselors and students.
All Kidney Health Information Service (KHIS) calls to this service are answered by a trained receptionist. Then a message is sent to a Health Services Manager who is a trained renal nurse or social worker. Your call is returned and the inquiry response is generated. If for some reason they are unable to reach the caller, there are a maximum of three attempts made over a 48 hour period to respond to the request. The 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.
How does KHIS work for you? Calls are initially answered by a trained receptionist (you will first be asked to listen to a heath disclaimer to inform you of the process to register your call). A message is then sent to a health services manager who is a trained renal nurse or social worker. TYour call is returned as soon as possible and information is provided relevant to your enquiry. If for some reason the Health Manager is unable to reach the caller, the Health Manager will make a maximum of three attempts over a 48 hour period to respond to your request. It is important to note that 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.
What types of enquiries are dealt with on KHIS? The most popular calls received are in regards to diet, transplantation, disease states, chronic kidney disease and dialysis. There are also a number of enquiries in relation to practical advice on topics such as holidaying on dialysis or find information on insurance. Some callers wish to find out more about a particular disease state or condition, or are seeking advice in regards to their rights as a patient.
Kidney Connect Program - Want to connect with others like you? Kidney Health Australia has a number of initiatives which provide you with support from people going through similar experiences to you. These include your online kidney blog and YAP Space Forum and Chatrooms. Our Kidney Connect Program links you directly with someone who you can talk to about your experiences with kidney disease and listen to their journey. Please remember to ask our trained Health Services Managers for more information on what supports are available for you.
Australian Holiday Dialysis Konnections This is Kidney Health Australia's initiative to connect individuals on dialysis in different locations in Australia - you may be able to arrange a vary your routine a little, travel interstate for a special occasion, or enjoy a well earned holiday. This program allows you to identify possible travel options - we facilitate the exchange of contact information with another registered AHD Konnectee - you then liaise directly with this person to identify a ‘chair swap’ for the period you request.
Kidney Health Education Program All of the kidney health information, brochures, fact sheets and publications we produce for patients and health professionals are evidence-based. These resources are produced to give precise, up to date information on a wide range of kidney related conditions and treatments. Download our Resource Order Form to order any of our publications.
Our Consumer Participation Councils These Councils have been established in each state to identify, and are informed of, advocacy issues affecting individuals living with kidney and urinary tract disease, their families and carers and all state Councils report to a National Consumer Council who manage these issues on behalf of our 'kidney' community.
The Australian Kidney Patient Charter Our National Consumer Council prioritised twenty four Principles of Optimal Care for Australians with CKD and clearly sets out your rights as an Australian with chronic kidney disease. See Consumer Participation.
Kidney Camps, Capers and Holiday Activities These programs are organised for Kidney Kids, their families or carers and adults who have kidney disease, are on dialysis, and/or have received a transplant.
- Kidney Kids Camp is for children aged between 7 and 17 years catering who are affected by kidney disease, is an annual five-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 are an action-packed daytime fun-filled program unfolds over three days to give children and parents/carers with an opportunity for social networking and a welcome break from their normal routine. Held for the first time in 2002, this program now attracts up to 60 participants. To find out more about your state's Kidney Capers, contact your local Kidney Health Australia Branch Office.
- WA Adult Holiday Dialysis Program Families applying, who fit this criteria receive an annual week's holiday break in the beautiful south-west town of Busselton, Western Australia by using a temporary dialysis unit.
Kidney Connect Program This is our umbrella support program for people with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their carers and family members. It consists of the following programs:
Patient Self-Management Program This program aims to raise the quality of life for people living with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their carers and family members through the provisions of information and essential skills and support during each phase of the health and wellness pathway.
Kidney Patient/Carer/Health Professional Forums These various Kidney Health Forums aim to provide education and support to people living with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their carers and family members. Some Forums are arranged specifically for health professionals.
The Family Accommodation Initiative - Transplant Housing (FAITH) This program provides fully furnished accommodation for Western Australian families who need to travel to Perth for living kidney transplants. Since the launch of FAITH in Western Australia, Kidney Health Australia has provided numerous rural families with much needed lengthy stays accommodation, which they could not otherwise afford. FAITH has also assisted families travel from Victoria and Queensland to participate in kidney transplants in Western Australia.
Organ Donation Awareness Kidney Health Australia actively encourages Australians to become organ donors but we do not manage organ and tissue donation registration nor the retrieval and transplantation of organs. We refer all enquiries to either the Organ Donor Registry or the relevant state organ donation agencies.
Kidney Health Australia's Operation Angel Awards honour our very special 'angels' who work tirelessly within our kidney community, who are involved with transplantation, or who promote and have been involved in some way with organ donation, the wonderful Gift of Life.
Get Involved in Fundraising Find out how you can help us fund the programs set out above and do even more with each. You can support our important work via our fundraising events in each state, or think about joining our merry band of volunteers.
 For the hearing impaired - TTY/Voice 133 677 | Speak & Listen (SSR) 1300 555 727
TTY (Teletypewriter service for hearing impaired) We recommend our callers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment use the National Relay Service - see www.relayservice.com.au for full details. A trained operator will help you connect to Kidney Health Australia and will stay on the line to ensure that you can communicate effectively with our operators to obtain the information that you need. An Australian Government Initiative.
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