Learn more about holiday dialysis options if you are one of our patients and are planning a trip away from Melbourne, or an Australian or overseas traveller visiting Melbourne.
Key points
- Information is available for the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) and other Australian and international patients about how to access holiday dialysis services
- If you are not a patient of the RMH and you need holiday dialysis while holidaying in Melbourne, you need to advise us in advance so that we can plan ahead with you as much as possible
- Due to workload and high demand, holiday bookings are occasionally limited
Information and support are available for the RMH dialysis patients who are planning a holiday.
The RMH may also be able to assist with dialysis for other patients holidaying in Melbourne.
It is essential to speak with your regular dialysis staff when you are thinking about organising a holiday.
In recognition of the importance of holidays to people who require haemodialysis, services across Australia will offer holiday dialysis where capacity exists.
When you are ready to book a holiday the best option is to speak to the Nurse Unit Manager or manager of your dialysis unit for advice. Note that advanced notice is required and that these services can often be full.
Speak with the Home Dialysis Service team if you are on peritoneal dialysis. They can help you arrange delivery of your stock to your holiday address. This will need to be arranged a few weeks in advance of your planned time away from home.
Visit Kidney Health Australia to find a dialysis unit in Australia.
Australia has reciprocal agreements with some countries. Overseas holidays can usually be arranged but there may be a cost involved for dialysis.
Visit Kidney Health Australia: Travel for more information about dialysis and travelling.
Receiving dialysis treatment at the RMH
We can provide holiday dialysis patients at the RMH units in Melbourne. Dialysis bookings are available for both Australian and overseas patients, subject to availability
If you have a Medicare card, we can provide holiday dialysis for you.
Holiday dialysis is administered at one of the RMH dialysis units, depending on availability. This could be at the RMH in the acute care unit, or one of our metropolitan satellite dialysis centres in Coburg or Essendon Fields.
Initial patient registration occurs at the RMH Parkville and may involve a medical review.
Find out the contact and location details for metropolitan dialysis centres.
Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreement with many countries. If your country has one of these agreements you are entitled for dialysis without charge.
You can still receive dialysis if there is no agreement in place, but payment for overseas visitors is payable in advance.
Dialysis sessions
While we will take into account your preferred times and locations for dialysis, these will be determined by us based on your general health needs and where dialysis vacancies are available.
You can request the time that suits you and we will do our best to meet your request.
If you are coming to Melbourne for a special occasion or event, you must advise us in advance so that we can plan ahead with you as much as possible.
Due to workload and high demand, holiday bookings are occasionally limited.
The following information must be provided at least four weeks before the first planned treatment:
- Recent serology (taken within three months), biochemistry and haematology (taken within one month)
- A vascular access report or cannulation and care plan
- Referral letter from your nephrologist outlining medical history and current medical conditions
Your booking may be cancelled if no information is received one week before the first planned dialysis.
When you arrive for your initial assessment, you will be provided with information regarding our service and your dialysis treatment and asked to sign an informed consent to dialysis form.
This is a standard requirement for all maintenance dialysis patients who are new to our service.
Please bring all prescribed medications and prescriptions, including erythropoietic agents.
We will provide standard dialysis anticoagulation (heparin or enoxaparin) on dialysis, so you don't need to bring this with you unless you wish to do so.
We do not assume responsibility for any costs associated with travel to or from any dialysis sites, including a change in the location of your dialysis treatment.
We can assist you with information regarding public transport options to the RMH.
What to bring
You should consider bringing the following items with you.
If you have diabetes
If you have diabetes, you should also bring:
- Your blood glucose meter
- Your blood glucose diary/record book
- Your favourite hypo food
- A friend or relative