These chairs are funded at the moment for six people but will eventually be able to take 12.

Renal nursing unit manager, Linda McCorriston, advised members of the Bega Valley Local Area Health Advisory Council of the new chairs at its March meeting.

Ms McCorriston explained that each person requires dialysis between two to three times per week and that the entire procedure takes up to six hours.

This requires the patient spend six hours in the hospital up to three times a week.

All patients are still referred from Dr Carney in Canberra and are required to have reviews in Canberra. Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney is able to refer but most patients prefer the shorter travel time to Canberra.

Ms Corriston gave an interesting and informative outline of the procedures and possible problems in treating dialsysis patients.

She said there can be problems with needling and sometimes patients need to have a catheter inserted.

Ms McCorriston said she is in constant contact with Dr Carney and if they are not able to solve the problem, the patient is immediately transferred to Canberra.

Patients are local and some travel from Moruya and Bombala.

One local patient commented he could not believe how much better his life is now he can have the treatment locally and be able to drive home after it.

Ms McCorriston is also very excited about the Bega Hospital Auxillary donating a renal ultrasound.

She said it is crucial to training nurses in the needling procedure.

Helen Gammell, RN, is working with Ms McCorriston in the renal unit plus a second nurse is being trained.