The Kimberley Satellite Dialysis Centre (KSDC) is a service provided by the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS). It is the first Australian dialysis centre to be managed by an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS). The Centre opened its doors dialysing people of the Kimberley Region on the 21st October 2002.

The centre operates Monday through to Saturday 7.00am - 8.30pm dialysing two patient shifts. The centre cares for 39 patients and has one spare spot shared by holiday dialysis patients and respite care for Kimberley Home Haemodilaysis patients. Arrangements can be made for holiday dialysis by directly contacting the centre.

The KSDC has been purpose built to reflect the Kimberley colours and Broome architecture. The interior layout allows for cultural avoidance's and is decorated with local Aboriginal artwork. A unique feature is the 66 metre long mythical "rainbow serpent" laser cut into the vinyl floor. This all makes for a very homely environment.

The Centre has 10 dialysis chairs using Fresenius S & H machines. Medical support is provided by BRAMS General Practicioners in conjunction with Dr Kevin Warr, consulting Nephrologist who visits every 6-8 weeks from Perth. The service is a joint venture between BRAMS, the Health Department of WA and Royal Perth Hospital.

Since it's opening in October 2002, the client group has demonstrated 93% attendance for dialysis treatment. Clients were asked to comment on how they feel about being in Broome, despite the fact that many come from remote communities throughout the Kimberley - up to 1000km away. All clients expressed that Perth was always "too cold" and that they were happy to be back in warmer weather. Most also stated that they were "homesick" and "lonely"in Perth and that now "family can visit here" or "for weekends I can go to community... and visit family". Or as one client puts it, "In Perth we see ourselves as going into a hospital... Here [KSDC] is like a home for us... like a meeting place. You got people you know".

For many years, Kimberley people with renal failure had to relocate to Perth for their life saving dialysis treatment. Being up to 3000km away from home isolated them from their family, friends and cultural environment. This made visiting their community a difficult and expensive option.

The drive to develop the centre came from the late Puggy Hunter back in 1995. He would talk about how the plight of Aboriginal people from the Northwest who were stranded in Perth for life saving dialysis treatment would make him feel sorry. "You'll see them sitting there, they're like crows on a fence!" he would say of the people surviving in long-term hostel accomodation at the Autumn Centre in Perth. After years of negotiations between Commonwealth and State health departments, the initiative of a dialysis centre in Broome under the AMS was finally supported and building commenced on the centre in February 2002.

The KSDC is the "hub" of the "hub and spokes model" planned for Regional Renal Services. The spokes part will consist of regional dialysis care, training and education for those on Peritoneal Dialysis and training and support for those wanting Home Haemodialysis. Also linked will be pre dialysis education and remote area health staff education.

The KSDC is staffed by renal trained Aboriginal Health Workers and Registered Nurses. Administrative and driver support positions are filled by Aboriginal people with strong cultural connections to the local community. The KSDC also has a full time Social Worker.

The KSDC aims to encourage client independence through self-care dialysis training, and provide education and training to local health workers, including Aboriginal Health Workers, Doctors and Nurses. The KSDC team also works closely with the BRAMS Chronic Disease team, aiming to prevent and/or delay the progression of chronic kidney disease. This offers the unique opportunity to house the beginning and the end of the chronic disease story within the same complex.

The KSDC is also committed to increasing community awareness of kidney disease and dialysis treatment throughout the Kimberley Region.

For further information, contact:
Christopher Fielding - Renal Clinic Manager
Kimberley Satellite Dialysis Centre
PO Box 1377
Broome, WA 6725
Ph: (08) 9193 5777
Fax: (08) 9193 5766
Email: bramsrenal@westnet.com.au