Tuesday, 1 February 2011, 12:20 pm Press Release: New Zealand Government

Hon Tony RyallMinister ofHealth

1 February 2011 MediaStatement

Primary care pilots to tacklekidney disease

Four district health boards (DHBs)are testing new ways of treating kidney disease.

Two centres will use one approach, which is aworld-class new electronic decision support tool for generalpractitioners, to improve detection and management of kidneydisease.

The second approach also involves generalpractitioners, and sees specialists working alongsideprimary care teams managing high risk kidney patients in thecommunity.

The four centres involved are: •Northland DHB • Langimalie Health Centre (aTongan focused clinic in Auckland)• Hawkes BayDHB• Southlink in Southern DHB.

Threerelated projects will also add to the evidence base, thesuccessful Horowhenua Kidney Health project, and anestablished programme in Auckland DHB and a new programmejust launched in Waikato DHB.

Kidney failure has a majorimpact on individuals, their family and the health system.Chronic kidney disease does not give any warning symptomsuntil the kidneys are failing, when it can cause fatigue,loss of appetite, anaemia and general ill health.

Threeof the four demonstration sites are now running and thefourth will be underway by mid-February.

It is expectedthat the projects will lead to similar programmes beingrolled out throughout the country.

ENDS