Renal Centre band

Media Release
Date: 13 November, 2012

Renal Centre band

PLAY IT AGAIN:

Jake Wharewhiti, left, and Nigel Tupu have quite a following at the Renal Centre.

Being on dialysis can be tough going, but some regulars at the Regional Renal Centre go out of their way to spread a bit of cheer.

Jake Wharewhiti, Nigel Tupu and Daniel Teremoana are all on dialysis three times a week. But all are musicians who love to sing and entertain, and that’s what they do ahead of their scheduled 2pm hook-ups at the centre on the Waiora Waikato Hospital grounds on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

“People like us to provide a bit of fun,” Jake says. “They hear us playing as they are coming up the ramp and some start dancing. And for the ones leaving it’s a boost too.”

Centre charge nurse manager Nicky Hagan says they have quite a following among the centre clients, staff and families. “I call them my Boy Band. They’re great.’’

The “band” have been together since Jake was sent north for dialysis after the Christchurch earthquake in February last year. He has no plans to return to the shaky city although he’s away there for a few weeks shortly to see family. “I’m happy to stay up here.”

Jake had a band in his younger days and was well known around clubs in Christchurch. Nigel has also been entertaining for years too. “All my family are musical.”

The trio were just a duo this week, with Daniel in hospital, and are looking forward to continuing their act when the renal centre shifts to the renovated former Lions Cancer Lodge later this month.

The new centre, costing $7.6 million, opens on November 26 and will more than double the number of dialysis treatment stations. It’s bigger, brighter and more modern to cope with current and future demand.

The Regional Renal Centre covers all renal failure and dialysis services for the Midland region. This incorporates Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Tairawhiti DHBs.

Currently the 12 bed in-centre facility and a seven-bed acute dialysis unit cater for around 90 patients requiring renal replacement therapy.

The new centre includes:

• Haemodialysis treatment with 30 ports/stations instead of the current 12 ports/stations
• Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)
• Outpatient clinics
• Store for dialysis products
• Eight ports at a home haemodialysis training centre
There are four satellite dialysis units based in Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatane and Gisborne, which are clinically responsible to the Renal Centre and there are 65 patients based at these units.
It has a central Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Training Unit that covers all PD for the Midland region and there are currently 218 patients, which makes it one of the largest units in Australasia. The home haemodialysis training centre is one of the largest in New Zealand with around 90 patients doing dialysis.

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About Waikato District Health Board and Health Waikato:

Waikato DHB is responsible for planning, funding and providing quality health and disability support services for the 372,865 people living in the Waikato DHB region. It has an annual turnover of $1.2 billion and employs more than 6000 people.

Health Waikato is the DHB’s main provider of hospital and health services with an annual budget of more than $701 million and 5238 staff. It has six groups across five hospital sites, three primary birthing units, two continuing care facilities and 20 community bases offering a comprehensive range of primary, secondary and tertiary health services.

A wide range of independent providers deliver other Waikato DHB-funded health services - including primary health, pharmacies and community laboratories.

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