NSLHD News November 4 2022

New and improved Big Red Kidney Bus Launched A new state-of-the-art bus for the NSW Big Red Kidney Bus program was recently launched at Parliament House in Sydney. The program is operated through a joint partnership between Royal North Shore Hospital and Kidney Health Australia.

for families and loved ones to know they’re receiving the same level of care from our highly trained renal nurses as they would in their own dialysis unit,” she said. Northern Sydney Local Health District Interim Chief Executive Lee Gregory said the district is proud to help deliver a program that offers some reprieve to dialysis patients. “Living with kidney disease can be very demanding for patients and their loved ones,” he said. “With the launch of the new bus, patients will be able to have some repieve in a new environment whilst receiving treatment. “Providing the opportunity for patients and their families to be able to travel and receive dialysis treatment will hopefully continue to provide some reprieve for patients.” The bus has recently been parked at RNSH and will be making its way to Bateman’s Bay in early November.

The year-round program offers people on haemodialysis the chance to go away on holidays throughout NSW, while ensuring they still receive their life-saving dialysis treatment. The bus features three comfortable chairs for patients, equipped with dialysis machines and is staffed by dialysis nurses and renal technicians, with six sessions a day available at each destination. RNSH Medical Director of Dialysis Services Yvonne Shen, who delivered an address at the launch, said the program had received great feedback and repeat visits from families. “It provides enormous reassurance and relief

RNSH Medical Director of Dialysis Services Yvonne Shen provided an address at the launch

The new and improved Big Red Kidney Bus

Donated supplies to help reduce landfill waste The Northern Clinical School recently organised a donation drive across RNSH as part of MedEarth initiative.

initiative to reduce waste, particularly when the donated supplies can be used to help communities in need, rather than being discarded. “I am proud that our students and staff have led this project.” NSLHD has been actively working on its sustainability efforts, committing to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2035, with most of the reduction – 70 to 80 per cent – to be achieved by 2030.

MedEarth is a not-for-profit organisation that recovers medical supplies and equipment from various health services globally to redistribute and reduce landfill waste. The donation drive involved collecting safe- to-use medical supplies that would otherwise be discarded due to insurance regulations, hospital inventory systems, renovations, and equipment updates. Northern Clinical School students along with Clinical Skills Educator Monique Gilbert visited various departments around RNSH and received a great response from the hospital. Head of the Northern Clinical School Associate Professor Margaret Schnitzler said the school was proud to be able to organise donation drive. “It’s very rewarding to contribute to this

Students of the Northern Clinical School with the donated supplies from RNSH

NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 21 | 4 NOVEMBER 2022

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