North Island residents living with chronic kidney failure have improved access to hemodialysis now that a $2.25-million project to expand the outpatient Cumberland Community Dialysis Facility is complete.

The expansion project includes a 370-square-metre addition to the existing building and can now accommodate up to 12 dialysis stations, double the six stations prior to the expansion. Currently, nine stations are in operation with capacity to add three additional dialysis stations as demand grows. Dialysis support space at the facility, including the nurses' station, has also been improved.

Funding for the expansion was provided by the Ministry of Health and the BC Renal Agency. The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) staffs and operates the facility. The annual operating cost of $1.27 million is shared by the VIHA and the BC Renal Agency.

Approximately 38 kidney patients undergo hemodialysis at the Community Dialysis Facility each week. Hemodialysis is a procedure that cleans the blood by removing waste products and excess water, something the patient's kidneys can no longer do. Patients generally need three hemodialysis treatments each week in order to survive. Each treatment takes four hours.

If kidney disease is identified early it can often be managed through diet, medication and lifestyle adjustments, which can postpone or prevent the need for hemodialysis.

In May 2011, the Province launched the comprehensive $68.7-million Healthy Families BC strategy, which will support British Columbians in managing their own health, reducing chronic disease, including kidney disease, and ensuring that pregnancy and support programs target the province's most vulnerable families.

Quick Facts:

• The VIHA renal program serves approximately 375 dialysis patients on Vancouver Island and over 1,800 patients with early stage kidney disease.
• Currently, 38 patients use the Cumberland Dialysis Facility and 113 early-stage kidney disease patients live on Northern Vancouver Island.
• The Community Dialysis Facility serves patients from Qualicum north, including Texada, Hornby and Cortes Islands, Campbell River and Mt. Waddington.
• Approximately one in 25 British Columbians has some level of kidney disease.
• Many individuals are not aware that they suffer from kidney disease because there are often no early symptoms.
  

Risk factors for kidney disease include:

• Having diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.
• Having a family history of kidney disease.
• Belonging to specific high-risk ethnic groups (Aboriginal, Pacific Islanders, Asians or of African descent).
• Once a person has severe kidney failure, he or she must receive dialysis to stay alive.

Learn More:

Healthy Families BC: www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca

BC Renal Agency: www.bcrenalagency.ca

Kidney Foundation of Canada BC Branch: www.kidney.ca

Media Contacts:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Val Wilson
VIHA Communications
250 739-6303