The new Kererū Kidney Centre in Tāmaki will start treating dialysis patients on Monday 23rd August.
The centre – based in Point England – is the result of a partnership between Auckland DHB, which built and will operate the centre, and Tāmaki Regeneration, which provided the land to build the centre on. A ceremony was held on 5th August to acknowledge all the hard work that’s gone into building the centre.
Many Auckland DHB dialysis patients live in TRC’s area - Glen Innes, Point England and Panmure, alongside neighbouring suburbs.
So having the new centre in Point England will make treatment much more accessible for patients who live in Tāmaki, and neighbouring suburbs.
Local whānau ora coordinator, who works with the Cook Islands community, Haikiu Baiabe says patients he knows are excited they will be able to have their dialysis locally.
Not only will the centre provide self-care dialysis, but also education about kidney health will be a strong focus. Auckland DHB will provide this with the help of The Kidney Society. Information about other health services will be available at the centre.
Tāmaki Regeneration (TRC) acting Strategy and Performance General Manager, John Chapman, says the new facilities are a really important part of building healthy communities.
“We know the community has been asking for this centre for a long time, says John. “So it’s fantastic that it’s finished.”
Dr David Semple, Renal Service Clinical Director, says opening the new centre in Tāmaki is exciting. “Having a purpose-built centre where it’s most needed, in the community, will help us reduce the impact of kidney disease on patients and their whānau,” he says.
“It will also allow us to get to know the community better and work more closely with the other health providers in the area.
“We hope that the centre will become more than just a medical centre and also become a place for learning and education where the people of the Tāmaki area can better understand kidney disease and the steps they can take to protect their whānau.”
