Patients say remote island dialysis unit is bringing them 'back to life' (2025)

After spending two years away from home for life-saving medical treatment, Mornington Island resident Frank Watt says reuniting with his family has brought him "back to life".

"When you're home you get more support from your family … [it] brings you back to life because you feel happy inside," Mr Watt said.

Between 2022 and 2024, Mr Watt received treatment for end-stage kidney disease at Townsville — 850 kilometres away on a multi-day, mutli-flight commute — because there were no suitable renal facilities on the island.

It was a "scary, lonely" time that made him homesick, the 54-year-old said.

But that has changed since a permanent renal dialysis unit was established at Mornington Island Hospital, enabling patients like Mr Watt to receive critical treatment on country.

"Indigenous people that come from this place, it's a privilege for them to come home and have dialysis," Mr Watt said.

The ex-police liaison officer said receiving treatment locally was life-changing and he wanted other remote Indigenous communities to have the same opportunity.

"They can go down the beach and do some fishing when they got day off, sit out with families and have a talk, a yarn, like they used to before they got sick."

Displaced for years

The rate of kidney disease is disproportionately higher among First Nations people than the general population.

Kidney Health Australia said Indigenous patients were four times as likely to die from the condition.

Last year, dialysis was the leading cause of hospitalisations for Indigenous Australians accounting for 44 per cent of admissions — 11 times higher than the non-Indigenous population, according to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework.

Patients with kidney disease require treatment multiple times a week to stay alive, taking hours at a time.

When that is not able to be delivered locally, remote patients like Mr Watt travel hundreds of kilometres to a treatment centre and can be displaced from home for years.

Mornington Island, nestled in the Gulf of Carpentaria off the north coast of Queensland, is home to about 1,000 residents.

Mr Watt recalled family members who were being treated for dialysis on the mainland sometimes died there, away from their loved ones back home.

"It cost a lot of money to bring home a family member back on the island for a funeral."

'Significant improvement', but more centres needed

Mr Watt was one of the first patients to be treated at the new renal dialysis unit at Mornington Island Hospital when it opened in June last year.

The six-chair unit caters to those who independently dialyse and those requiring clinical support from specialist dialysis nurses.

It was a boost from the previous temporary two-chair, satellite supported haemodialysis unit.

Mornington Island director of nursing Scott Windsor said it was a "significant improvement" in the quality of life for dialysis patients.

"Having access to such critical services locally means that patients can maintain their routines and support networks, which is vital to their wellbeing," Mr Windsor said.

North West Hospital and Health Service chief executive Sean Birgan said the response from the island's patients was encouraging.

"The new, more permanent renal dialysis unit allows us to deliver healthcare services more efficiently and effectively, providing better continuity of care and enhancing overall patient experience," Mr Birgan said.

Back on the mainland, 150km south-east, Normanton Hospital is currently undergoing a significant upgrade, due to open mid-2025.

In 2024 the federal government announced $18.58 million for additional dialysis units across multiple locations in remote Australia, including Normanton.

A specific timeline for dialysis at Normanton has not been confirmed, but Mr Birgan said it would be coming to the new hospital.

"They want the capability to deliver dialysis. That's a service they don't currently have," he said.

"I can confirm that the new building will have the capability of delivering renal dialysis."

Another 400km south-west in the border town of Camooweal, dialysis chairs are scheduled to be installed in the local primary health clinic.

Acting health service chief executive Damien Searle said the chairs had been ordered and he was awaiting a delivery date.

"We endeavour to inform the community and our patients waiting for dialysis treatment in Camooweal as soon as this service is available," Mr Searle said.