Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services, Shannon Fentiman has today announced $15 million to see Townsville University Hospital (TUH) become the second kidney transplant service in Queensland and the only one of its kind outside the south-east corner.
The North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service will treat local patients as well as those from communities across North Queensland including Cairns, Mackay, Cape York, Torres Strait Islands and Mount Isa.
Transplant surgeries will be provided at Townsville University Hospital, but pre- and post-transplant care will be delivered at other hospitals across the catchment closer to where patients live.
The service will include several initiatives designed to improve local transplantation rates, including strategies to reduce the travel, financial and cultural barriers encountered by transplant patients.
“We know how hard it can be for vulnerable Queenslanders who need to leave their homes and loved ones for months on end and travel down to SEQ for life-saving treatment,” said Minister Fentiman.
“Today’s announcement mean people will no longer have to travel and instead can receive their kidney transplant, as well as the care required before and after, closer to home.
“This investment will create nearly 40 extra health care worker positions and strengthen renal services across north Queensland by working closely with the satellite renal dialysis network.”
She said patients and clinicians from all five health services across northern Queensland would work together to design the uniquely northern and networked approach to kidney transplantation.
‘‘We have higher rates of dialysis here in north Queensland but lower rates of transplantation due to the geographic burden travelling to and from Brisbane has on our northern Queensland patients,” said North Queensland Kidney Transplant lead, Dr Michelle Harfield.
‘‘Thanks to this funding, we know more patients will have a transplant rather than staying on dialysis, and in doing so, will live longer and healthier lives.
‘‘Kidney disease disproportionately affects disadvantaged, rural, and First Nations people, who make up a significant proportion of our population. Unfortunately, the tyranny of distance means some patients decline a lifesaving transplant and instead spend many weeks, months, and years on dialysis in an effort to stay close to home.
‘‘I look forward to seeing kidney transplant rates for disadvantaged people, including First Nations people, increase through our commitment to creating a service designed to meet the needs of our community and one that is culturally welcoming and safe.”
The first kidney transplant is expected to take place at TUH in early 2025.
This service will create approximately 40 health care worker positions across north Queensland and links in with satellite renal dialysis network located across north Queensland.
“It’s important to remember that hundreds of lives are saved in Queensland due to organ donation, so please head to donatelife.gov.au and register to be a donor today,” said Minister Fentiman.
