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August 27, 2023
One-day work-up for kidney transplant diagnosis
Gideon Porter
Posted On August 27, 2023
Download AudioA Māori haematologist says a one-day kidney transplant work-up programme in the Bay Of Plenty will help dozens of patients get on to the life-saving kidney transplant list faster.
Māori make up a third of patients starting treatment for kidney failure, but are 14 times less likely to receive a pre-emptive transplant.
Dr Matt Wheeler from Tauranga Hospital says transplant assessments can spread over weeks or even months of appointments, which is why the new one-day testing process was developed.
“We’ve got it so that there’s a single point of contact. You know it’s one person to talk to. We’ve also organised it so there’s a social worker who makes early contact with you – and they’re there on the day to make sure everything runs smoothly… and that it’s tailored to suit you, not to suit the hospital,” he says.
Dr Wheeler says based on the interest in the programme from Te Whatu Ora, and Te Aka Whai Ora, he hopes it will be picked up nationwide.
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