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Haemodialysis at home

Home haemodialysis offers people with end stage renal disease (ESRD) an opportunity to have their dialysis treatments in their own homes. 

The main advantages for home haemodialysis include:

  • Improved quality of life

  • Better overall health and life expectancy

  • Greater flexibility and ability to modify the treatment according to individual needs

  • Less time spent travelling and waiting around

Home Dialysis set up

Suitability for home HD  

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) has produced guideline regarding provision of home HD and its appropriate use in suitable patients. A patient information leaflet has also been released and is available at Canterbury and satellite dialysis units as well as from home dialysis and advanced kidney care teams. The suggested criteria are that the patient:

  1. Has accommodation that is spacious enough to store the machine and equipment, or could be adapted with minimal structural change

  2. Is well motivated and committed to carrying out his treatment

  3. Is stable when on dialysis

  4. Is free of diseases or complications that might make home haemodialysis unsafe or unsuitable ( as assessed by a Renal Physician

  5. Has a good well functioning fistula or graft, or in some cases a tunnelled dialysis catheter

  6. Has one or more carers who have made an independent and informed decision to take on joint responsibility for the treatment

Training:

The main training area is at Canterbury but all units will be supportive if you wish to become more involved with your dialysis. Training specifically for home dialysis can vary from four -12 weeks and is looked at on an individual basis. Please call if you would like more information on 01227 783025 or speak to any member of the renal team.


Going home on dialysis

A patient and her husband talk about what going on to home haemodialysis has meant to them in the short video below -