Better health and ageing for all Australians

Media Releases and Communiques

Remote Area Renal Services for Indigenous Australians

Kidney disease is a significant health issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote areas.

In this section:

28 July 2005

Joint Communique

Kidney disease is a significant health issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote areas. It impacts on more than just the requirement for appropriate health services, but also on the social and cultural fabric of the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.

In recognition of this, Health Ministers meeting in Alice Springs today endorsed that the following principles guide the development and operation of remote area renal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote areas:
  • Prevention and management of chronic kidney disease requires the provision of effective primary health care services;
  • Planning for remote renal services requires recognition of the unique needs and disadvantaged circumstances of remote communities and their impact on service delivery;
  • Planning for remote renal services requires a focus on local needs, workforce, flexibility, accountability and whole of government collaboration at the regional level;
  • All jurisdictions will work towards improving access to all modalities of renal replacement therapies for people living in remote areas;
  • Renal dialysis treatments should be available as close to home as possible;
  • Transplantation is the optimal treatment for appropriate patients; and
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander consumers and communities should participate in the planning for remote renal service provision.
Health Ministers also approved some specific practical actions to be undertaken which will improve services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people needing renal replacement therapies living in remote areas to not only receive appropriate heath care, but also to be able to remain connected with their family and community.

The proposed work to develop national remote area renal service standards as part of phase three of this project will be invaluable in providing guidance to both the development and operation of remote area renal services. These standards will not be a "one size fits all" solution, but will provide consistent directions for services to develop models that meet the needs of their client population.

Media Contact: Richard O’Leary, Media Advisor for NT Minister for Health, Phone No: 0401 119 586