LPSC recognises need for financial support for Home Haemodialysis

Published on 09 June 2022

Liverpool Plains Shire Council understands that community members using haemodialysis machines at home need large quantities of water. At the May Ordinary meeting of Council, it resolved to place the draft Financial Assistance with Water Consumption Costs associated with Home Haemodialysis Machines Policy on public exhibition for a period of 28 days to allow members of the public to provide feedback prior to its adoption.

Mayor, Cr Doug Hawkins OAM said that even with the best management, chronic kidney disease sometimes progresses to end stage kidney disease (or kidney failure). In the end stage of kidney disease, kidney function will need to be replaced by either a kidney transplant or dialysis.

“Dialysis machine use can generate a significant amount of water usage (in the order of 120kL per annum) that can be attributed to the treatment process undertaken by the dialysis machine in a residential household situation.

“The Policy relates to those who utilise home haemodialysis with the associated reliance on higher town water usage from dialysis machines as part of this treatment. It is intended that the policy recognises the increased cost burden for this treatment process and provide Council staff with a framework for providing financial assistance to customers,” he said.