Support for investigation of a dialysis machine for Gunnedah is on the agenda for a Gunnedah Shire Council meeting tomorrow.

Support for investigation of a dialysis machine for Gunnedah is on the agenda for a Gunnedah Shire Council meeting tomorrow.

Cr Colleen Fuller. Photo: Robert Chappel 290312RCB04

Gunnedah people who need dialysis for kidney treatment have to travel to Tamworth three times a week.

Gunnedah Shire Councillor Colleen Fuller will raise a notice of motion at tomorrow’s meeting that council send a letter to Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson seeking support for further investigation of a dialysis machine for Gunnedah.

“There are so many people here that need dialysis,” Cr Fuller said.

“Quite a few have come to me over the period of the last 12 months asking about dialysis.”

She said the cost for dialysis was steep and if Gunnedah was to have a dialysis machine it was likely fund-raising would be needed because it would not be included in the current $2 million worth of work at the hospital promised by the NSW government ahead of the state election this year.

Council has been approached by Gunnedah resident Fonz Evans who told councillors many people had to spend three full days a week in Tamworth for treatment.

“The reason I am writing to council is that Moree had a supporting letter to their state member and we hope that Gunnedah could do the same,” Mr Evans said.

“If Gunnedah had a dialysis machine, it would save so many people having to lose three full days in their lives travelling to Tamworth.

“I would come to council to present my case on behalf of the rest of the residents that have to travel, but your council days are on the dialysis days.”

Mr Evans has already written to Mr Anderson to raise the issue, and has been in contact with federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce to have his concerns raised with the health minister.

Dialysis is required for patients with end stage kidney failure who have lost about 85-90 per cent of their kidney function.

Moree, Inverell, Glen Innes, Armidale and Tamworth have dialysis machines which are believed to require qualified staff, but Narrabri does not.

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