$1.8m upgrade now open
A “NEW era” for Darling Downs renal services has arrived with the opening of a $1.8 million upgrade to the Toowoomba Hospital Renal Unit.
Darling Downs Health Board chair Mike Horan, who opened the upgrade yesterday, said it was the third and final stage in Darling Downs Health’s Renal Services Uplift Project.
“It’s wonderful to see the increase in capacity with the number of haemodialysis chairs increased from 12 to 16, and the provision of state-ofthe-art clinical facilities,” Mr Horan said.
The project includes a new reception and waiting area, plus upgraded staff amenities, telehealth facilities and consulting rooms.
Mr Horan said the upgrade marked a new era for renal services across Darling Downs Health.
“The Toowoomba Hospital Renal Unit has around 130 patients, about a third of whom come to this unit for dialysis up to three times a week,” he said.
“It’s also the nerve-centre for the provision of renal services for other Darling Downs Health facilities providing haemodialysis, including Dalby and Kingaroy hospitals.
“I think all would agree this is now a facility that you can be extremely proud of.”
Nurse unit manager Josie Skewes said the completion of the upgrade had been well received by hospital staff and patients.
“We are very happy to be able to offer these upgraded facilities to our patients, all of whom were extremely patient and understanding during the four-month construction phase,” she said.
“Since welcoming our patients back to the unit when construction finished late last year, we have received a constant flow of positive feedback, which has been really pleasing for everyone.”