The Renal Peer Support Group was established by the Allied Health Renal Clinicians at North West Hospital and Health Service (North West HHS) to support patients and their families to enable and empower renal patients with the skills to help manage their kidney disease and positively influence chronic disease outcomes.

Based at Mount Isa Hospital, providing psycho-social support and guidance to patients and their families, the Renal Peer Support Group aims to create a positive environment of support amongst the renal patients.

The goal is to share practical experiences of treatment and lifestyle changes to help facilitate patient goals and provide enjoyable interactive social experiences away from the dialysis units.

Acting Executive Director of Allied Health Services, Elyse Mugridge, says this peer support group is the ideal path to creating a holistic approach to chronic kidney disease care.

“We are creating a positive learning environment for patients with Allied Health representatives such as a Dietitian, Pharmacist, Social Worker and Consumer Liaison Officer,” Ms Mugridge said.

“This peer support group will break down barriers and create a buddy system between existing patients and new patients diagnosed with kidney disease.”

Guest speakers will also be invited to participate in support sessions from agencies such as Centacare and Department of Housing.

“Kidney disease should not be debilitating, through this support system patients can achieve a level of independence through education and encouragement,” says Ms Mugridge.

North West HHS is committed to supporting renal patients by creating and utilising these support groups alongside the refurbishments of renal dialysis units across the North West region.