On the eve of the Prime Minister’s ‘Closing the Gap’ report to Parliament, Western Desert Dialysis (Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation ) is proud to release a report into the Service Delivery Model of remote dialysis in Central Australia.
This report was conducted by EY as part of their pro bono commitment to partnering with Indigenous communities and organisations.
WDNWPT is a community controlled health service providing dialysis services in five remote communities, from our Purple Truck and in Alice Springs.
Jim Birch AM, Government and Public Sector Lead for EY commented:
This Service Delivery Model report documents the unique combination of services and approach to patient care and community engagement that has allowed for significant success particularly in terms of patient participation.
In summary, the report highlights a series of benefits from the Western Desert Dialysis model of care including;
• Expenditure indicating cost effectiveness
• Higher patient participation rates
• Better clinical outcomes
• High levels of clinical safety.
Further the EY team highlight that:
By supporting people to remain on country, there is a greater prospect of children accessing education, adults contributing economically and communities remaining safe and stable.’
Sarah Brown (CEO of WDNWPT) said
We have known for a long time that there are huge benefits to individuals, families and whole communities from helping people to remain on country for dialysis treatment. This report articulates this. Often when talking about the need for more dialysis out bush, communities have been fobbed off with a response of ‘It’s too expensive’. This shows that this is just not true!
Western Desert Dialysis thanks EY wholeheartedly for doing this important piece of work.
WDNWPT will launch the report at 11 am on Wednesday 12th February 2014 at their ‘PURPLE HOUSE’ base at 69 Flynn Drive, Alice Springs.
For enquiries;
Sarah Brown, CEO WDNWPT 0448685610 or ceo@purplehouse.org.au
Full copies of the report are available on request.