Work has begun on the new $961,000 nine-chair renal dialysis unit at the Deniliquin Health Service.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the satellite service – due to open in January next year – will more than double the capacity of the existing four-chair unit.

“This significant enhancement to renal dialysis services for the Deniliquin community and surrounding areas means an additional five patients can receive vital treatment each week without having to travel,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is delivering on its commitment to ensure regional and rural communities get world-class health services. We are investing $550 million into health infrastructure for the bush in this year alone.

“The Deniliquin Renal Model of Care Community Working Party, the Local Health Advisory Committee and wider Deniliquin community have worked hard to advocate for this service and I’m very pleased to be able to deliver it for them.”

Mr Hazzard also announced that Albury-based Joss Group has been awarded the contract to construct the new service, which will complement the new specialist renal clinic that opened this week.

The new unit will be able to accommodate up to nine patients three days per week and six nurses have already received specialist training ahead of its opening.

There are currently four patients receiving three dialysis treatments each week at the temporary kidney dialysis service at Deniliquin Health Service.

The project is scheduled to be completed in early January 2018 and follows the announcement of the NSW Government’s $647,000 expansion of the renal dialysis unit at Griffith Base Hospital.

Early kidney disease has no signs or symptoms and can affect people of all ages. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, weight problems, people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin, smokers and those with a family history of kidney problems should ask their doctor for a Kidney Health Check every two years.