The Department of Nephrology provides a spectrum of care for people with kidney disorders throughout Victoria. The team comprises specialist nurses, nephrologists, transplant and vascular access surgeons, social work, mental health support, dietician and nurse practitioners.
Our Services
Our specialist clinics provide care for patients;
- with chronic kidney disease
- receiving dialysis (home dialysis, in-centre or satellite dialysis)
- receiving supportive treatment for kidney failure
- before and after kidney transplant
- needing vascular access for dialysis
For referral guidelines, please click here.
A 'one stop shop' outpatient clinic for patient transplant assessment and work-up for:
- deceased donor and live donor assessment and coordination
- pre-dialysis transplant assessment and coordination
- paired kidney exchange assessment and coordination
- combined kidney and pancreas post operative care
- transplant surgical assessment
For patients needing more information on kidney transplant please follow this link to the Kidney Health Australia website
Home dialysis refers to either peritoneal dialysis (PD) or home haemodialysis (HHD). Peritoneal dialysis can be considered a 'first line treatment' for kidney failure, offering some lifestyle benefits. Home haemodialysis offers flexibility around your dialysis time and gives you the opportunity to have more dialysis than the standard hospital dose.The home dialysis unit has:
- dedicated specialist nursing staff and doctors
- purpose built training facilities and clinic
- in home training where practical
- regular home visits (metropolitan and regional) and 24/7 telephone support
For patients needing more information on home dialysis please follow this link to the Kidney Health Australia website
Kidney Supportive Care (KSC) aims to improve the quality of life of patients with advanced kidney disease.
The current service at St Vincent's is integrated within the existing nephrology service and includes a weekly outpatient clinic coordinated and staffed by Palliative Care and Nephrology clinicians. Kidney Supportive Care can be a useful addition to GP and nephrology care for people;
- with advanced kidney disease managed conservatively (or without dialysis)
- receiving dialysis needing further symptom management
- with kidney transplant patients needing further symptom management
Referrals:
Referrals to the KSC outpatient clinic can be made by nephrologists, nephrology nurses and nurse practitioners, general practitioners and other medical specialists. Referrals can be faxed on 9231 3489 to the SVHM specialist clinics attention "Nephrology Clinic (Kidney Supportive Care)"
Acute haemodialysis is provided during and out of hours (via an on call service) and covers 9 West nephrology ward, ICU, cardiology and emergency. Non-acute dialysis is provided to dialysis inpatients during their hospitalisation both at St Vincent's public and private hospitals.
The Nephrology Unit, in partnership with local health care providers, delivers community dialysis to patients living in Werribee, Sale, Shepparton, Kyabram, Swan Hill and Warrnambool.
Metropolitan patients are cared for by community dialysis units in Fitzroy (St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne), East Melbourne (St Vincent's on the Park) and Kew (St Georges Health Service).
The St Vincent's Nephrology Unit has a strong partnership with our regional healthcare providers. Around 50% of our dialysis patients live in regional areas of Victoria and the care of these patients is focused locally. In collaboration with local nephrologists and nurses our regional patients are able to access specialist care which allows them to stay in their community.
Regional healthcare partners:
- Shepparton, Kyabram, Sale, Warrnambool and Swan Hill
Indigenous Australians, Kim and Trent share their stories about receiving a kidney transplant.
If you have kidney disease, ask your doctor: Am I On The List?
To learn more, go to
Am I On The List?