New Chairs Make Dialysis More Comfortable

Story reprinted from “Maitland Mercury” by Emma Swain

Maitland Hospital’s dialysis unit has celebrated its 10th anniversary with a $38,000 boost.

The generosity of seven local Lions clubs means dialysis patients will now have access to seven new electric treatment chairs, providing treatment to 41 patients three times a week.

Nurse unit manager Patrice Dobbs said the specially designed chairs offered improved comfort and independence for patients.

“This is a very generous donation from Lions and we really appreciate their support for the unit and our patients.  It’s a great birthday present,” Mrs Dobbs said.

“This has given us the opportunity to update the remainder of our treatment chairs all at once.”

Zone 9 Lions chairwoman Rosalea Sellers said the donation was a combined effort of the Lions Clubs of Branxton, East Maitland, Kurri Kurri, Maitland, and Rutherford and East Maitland/Beresfield and Rutherford Lioness Clubs.  

The clubs were assisted by the Australian Lions Foundation and the Lions NSW-ACT Save Sight and Public Health Care Foundation.

“We are very pleased that we have again been able to support the Maitland Hospital and have helped people in our local area who really need our assistance,” Ms Sellers said.

The Maitland Dialysis Unit opened on December 3, 1999 and initially operated three days a week.  It now operates 10 dialysis chairs with two treatment sessions a day, providing treatment to 20 patients a day, six days a week.