Grampians Health begins locally-led home dialysis service

Grampians Health has commenced home dialysis service, marking a major milestone following its transition to an independent renal health hub and significantly improving access to kidney care for people across the region.

Previously supported through Royal Melbourne Hospital, home dialysis services in the Grampians were managed externally and required patients to travel to Melbourne for specialist care if they became unwell.

The new locally-led model means patients can now receive their full care through Grampians Health, with clinical management, medical records and support based in Ballarat.

Grampians Health Chief Operating Officer Ben Kelly said the launch represents a critical step in strengthening regional healthcare services.

“Becoming an independent renal health hub allows us to deliver more comprehensive, locally-led care for our communities,” Mr Kelly said. “The home dialysis service means patients no longer need to rely on metropolitan hospitals for specialist renal care and can receive safe, high-quality treatment closer to home.”

Shaun Finlayson, Home Dialysis Team Leader at Grampians Health, said the transition has fundamentally changed how care is delivered.

“We’re now supplying a full home dialysis service that is based here at Grampians Health,” Mr Finlayson said.

“If a patient becomes unwell, they can be admitted and managed here rather than having to travel to Melbourne for specialised treatment.”

The service currently offers home peritoneal dialysis, with plans underway to introduce home haemodialysis training in the coming months. Patients are fully trained to manage their treatment independently at home, with support from the Grampians Health renal team as needed.

Home dialysis allows people with end-stage renal failure to complete their treatment around work, family and daily life, rather than attending hospital-based dialysis at fixed times.

“Home dialysis provides independence,” Mr Finlayson said. “It allows people to complete their treatment in their own time, in their own home, and continue living their lives. For some patients, that means they can keep working or caring for family.”

The service covers communities across the Grampians Health catchment, including Horsham and other regional areas, ensuring patients can remain closer to home for their care.

Unlike the former model, Grampians Health will provide ongoing local support to home dialysis patients in the region.

“Previously, patients could be told to travel to Melbourne if there was no local support available,” Mr Finlayson said.

“Now that we’re based here, we work with patients to find solutions that keep their care local whenever possible.”

The home dialysis team uses remote monitoring technology to review treatments daily, reducing the need for frequent in person visits while ensuring patients are supported and safe. Home visits are scheduled when required, and patients can contact the team by phone, email or video for advice and problem-solving.

“Our aim is to be there when patients need us, without intruding on their lives,” Mr Finlayson said. “Once they’re trained, they manage their own treatment. We’re a safety net and a partner in their care.”

Establishing the service has required significant groundwork, including creating new policies, building clinical pathways, training staff, and working closely with emergency departments, inpatient wards and allied services across Grampians Health.

“We built this service from nothing,” he said. “It’s been a big body of work, but it’s about creating a model of care that works for our communities and keeps patients closer to home.”

The move aligns with Grampians Health’s broader focus on consumer centred care, giving patients greater control, flexibility and choice in how they receive long-term treatment.

“People on dialysis make a huge commitment,” Mr Finlayson said. “Our role is to support them in a way that fits their lives, not the other way around.”