“Eastern Health is pleased today to announce the opening of our new Kidney Care Centre – a significant step forward in the care we provide to dialysis patients,” said David Diamond, President and CEO, Eastern Health.

“With the opening of this new site, we now have additional capacity for dialysis treatment and are better equipped to meet the care needs of our patients in a comfortable and patient-centred environment.”

The new outpatient dialysis unit at the Kidney Care Centre increases capacity from 28 dialysis stations to 40, resulting in an increased ability to accommodate peaks and flows in demand. The new facility will also house comprehensive outpatient kidney care services including nephrology clinics, kidney transplant clinics, home dialysis and a teaching program.

“The Kidney Care Centre will provide dialysis patients with high quality care, supporting our government’s efforts through The Way Forward to deliver better services and patient outcomes,” said the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services. “In addition to in-centre ‎dialysis services, this facility will serve as an educating and training hub for home based dialysis. When people are able to receive care in their own home, they feel less isolated, and have the flexibility to treat themselves as their time permits.”

Patient comfort was a key consideration in the development of the Kidney Care Centre. For example, each individual patient dialysis treatment area includes a television for the patient to view while receiving dialysis. There are also many ergonomic improvements for employees such as improved ceiling lifts to better facilitate safe patient handling.

The Kidney Care Centre includes two waiting areas as well as a family room which have been furnished through the generosity of the Health Care Foundation and its Peaceful Ports initiative. These areas include comfortable seating, televisions, a fireplace and a fully furnished kitchen area.

“The Health Care Foundation is a proud supporter of dialysis services here in St. John’s and we are so pleased to build on this support now through the new Kidney Care Centre,” said Debbie Patten, Chair of the Health Care Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Kidney disease is a life altering illness, especially for dialysis patients. We are committed to investing in items and equipment that improve their care and comfort, both through the Dialysis Dash and now the Peaceful Ports Project.”

The opening of the Kidney Care Centre aligns with Eastern Health’s new 2017-2020 Strategic Plan – Lighting the Way: Navigating Together and demonstrates the organization’s commitment to improving access to quality, safe and accessible health services for residents.

About Eastern Health

Eastern Health is the largest, integrated health authority in Newfoundland and Labrador employing approximately 13,000 dedicated employees, over 700 medical staff, and is supported by more than 2,000 volunteers, including members of numerous auxiliaries and fundraising foundations. With an annual budget of approximately $1.45 billion, the authority offers the full continuum of health and community services including public health, long-term care, community services, hospital care and unique provincial programs and services. Serving a population of over 300,000, Eastern Health’s geographic boundaries extend from St. John’s west to Port Blandford including all communities on the Avalon, Burin and Bonavista Peninsulas.

About the Health Care Foundation

The Health Care Foundation is committed to raising and stewarding funds for the advancement and enhancement of patient comfort and care, medical equipment, research and education within adult hospitals and facilities serving the St. John’s region. Through its fundraising initiatives, the Health Care Foundation assists Eastern Health in providing health care for the St. John’s region and specialized tertiary health services for the entire province.

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Media Contacts:

Tracey Boland
Media Relations Manager
Eastern Health
T: (709) 777-1412
TraceyL.Boland@easternhealth.ca 

Jackie O’Brien
Manager, Communications and Stewardship
Health Care Foundation
jackiea.obrien@healthcarefoundation.ca
(709) 777-5906

Emily Timmins
Media Relations Manager
Department of Health and Community Services
T: (709) 729-6986
EmilyTimmins@gov.nl.ca