The Norm Bourke Bag
The Norm Bourke Bag began organically in Armidale NSW in 2018, and has grown to include all the hospitals in NSW. Our goal is to give patients the supplies they need to start home peritoneal dialysis safely.
The bag is named after our friend Norm Bourke, who was a long-time member and supporter of the Armidale (rural NSW) Kidney community. Norm was on Peritoneal Dialysis when he was first diagnosed with kidney failure.
What’s in the Bag?
- Blood Pressure Machine (Value $140)
- Set of Scales for weighing (Value $40)
- QV Gentle Wash 1lt (body wash for dry sensitive skin) (Qty 2) (Value $60)
Why is the Norm Bourke Bag Needed?
To reduce the initial cost burden for patients and their families when commencing home peritoneal dialysis as these supplies are not currently provided by NSW Health. The bags have been co designed with patients and nursing staff to make sure they meet patient needs. Currently, we supply bags to all NSW hospitals, who distribute them to patients when they are doing training for peritoneal dialysis at home.
Macklin's Project
Supporting babies, children and teenagers on home dialysis.
Families with children on dialysis face unique challenges, when supporting their child's health at home. The equipment needed for children to do dialysis at home safely, confidently and comfortably, is medical grade and often expensive.
Through Macklin's project, we work closely with Nephrology teams at children's hospitals, to provide appropriate equipment for children on dialysis and post transplant.
We have provided equipment like:
- paediatric blood pressure monitors and cuffs
- infant and bathroom scales
- and more.
The goal of Macklin's Project is to reduce stress and financial impact for families, and support better health outcomes for babies, children and teenagers on dialysis through standardised medical grade equipment.
Allawah House, Tamworth base hospital
With the staff at Tamworth Renal services, we opened a self-contained 1 Bedroom onsite accommodation. This accommodation is for patients and their families who need to travel to Tamworth for surgeries or home dialysis training. All patients that stay here are bulk billed through IPTAAS and have no out-of-pocket charges.