A nurse treats a patient in the Emergency Department

Clinics & services

Kidney care & dialysis

Title

Kidney care & dialysis

Central Dialysis Unit

We provide dialysis to people with kidney failure who are staying in hospital, or starting dialysis for the first time.

Central Dialysis Unit (CDU) is a 12-chair dialysis facility in Renal Ward 7 North at Austin Hospital.

You will be treated in CDU for a short time when you first start dialysis. You will not stay in CDU permanently.

Once you are feeling better, you will be sent to Home Therapies Centre (HTC) at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital to ensure that you are fully informed about your dialysis options.

Once you have decided on your preferred type of dialysis, you will either be:

put on the waiting list for a dialysis unit close to home for your long term dialysis treatment
referred to HTC staff who will support and train you in home dialysis

If you are admitted to the hospital you will dialyse in CDU while you are unwell.

Getting here

Find out more about transport and parking at Austin Hospital.

Facilities

We have the following facilities available:

Individual TVs at each chair
Austin Pathology on site
Austin Radiology on site
Austin Pharmacy on site
Close to Austin Specialist Clinics

What to bring

When you come for dialysis, you should bring:

Sheet, blanket and pillow for your comfort
Comfortable day clothes
Warm socks, sweatshirt or jumper in case you get cold during treatment
Book, magazine or an iPad/tablet with headphones
If you have a graft or fistula in your arm, make sure your sleeves are loose enough to roll up
If you have a catheter in your chest, wear a shirt that opens in the front
Any tablets you need to take during dialysis
Something to eat (if you need to)

Referrals

You need a referral from your GP, specialist or health care provider to access this service.

Contact us