First integrated kidney centre sets new benchmark

Patients across Sydney are set to benefit from the first centre in the state to offer a fully integrated model of kidney care, following the official opening of the Kidney Care Centre at Prince of Wales Hospital.

Delivered as part of the upgrade at Prince of Wales (POW) Hospital, the purpose-built facility establishes a central hub for renal services in NSW. The project forms part of the NSW Government’s more than $1.5 billion Randwick Campus Redevelopment.

The new centre has been designed to respond to rising demand for kidney services and the increasing complexity of patient care. Data jointly released by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN), the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry and the New Zealand National Clinical Renal Network found that more than 80% of renal units reported dialysis waiting lists, while 24% had dialysis machines out of service. Several jurisdictions were already operating above normal capacity, with regional and remote communities experiencing the greatest strain.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “As the first of its kind in NSW, the Kidney Care Centre sets a new standard for kidney care delivery and will support the healthcare needs of patients, families and the wider community for many years to come. By bringing everything together under one roof, the Kidney Care Centre makes it easier for people to receive the care they need in the right place, at the right time.”

It delivers care across every stage of the patient journey, from acute haemodialysis for medically complex cases through to long-term dialysis support. Patients are supported to undertake treatment at home where appropriate, while integrated outpatient clinics and kidney transplant services provide continuity of care. Dedicated vascular access services, alongside a multidisciplinary clinical team, further strengthen patient outcomes.

POW Hospital Acting General Manager Vicki Weeden said, “By integrating a range of services and expertise in one purpose-built facility, we are delivering an innovative and uniquely comprehensive model of care.”

An innovative feature of the centre is its ability to support paediatric patients through specialised treatment while maintaining a connection to a lifelong model of care, helping families navigate a seamless transition into adult services.

The Kidney Care Clinic also brings together a vascular clinic and vascular ultrasound imaging within the same location, alongside advanced acute dialysis with cardiac monitoring for medically complex patients. This enables safe, timely treatment outside the traditional hospital ward.

These co-located services foster closer collaboration between specialist teams, reducing pressure on emergency departments and inpatient services while ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District CEO Leisa Rathborne said, “Our new clinic transforms the outpatient experience, prioritising comfort, privacy, and expanding our ability to provide accessible treatment for patients without requiring hospital admission. The Kidney Care Centre’s design places patients at the centre of care, enabling seamless access to the full spectrum of kidney services in a single location.”

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