The program enables people on dialysis, their families, and carers to have a holiday or visit family and friends without having to rely on the availability of holiday dialysis chairs at regional dialysis units, which are limited in supply.
This vital service visits 6-8 holiday destinations in each state in NSW and Victoria per year including coastal, and regional areas.
The Big Red Kidney Bus features three comfortable chairs, each fully equipped with dialysis machines. There are up to six sessions available per day, and people can book as many sessions as required through their stay without the worry of missing critical dialysis treatments.
The Big Red Kidney Bus offers those on dialysis hope. Haemodialysis typically involves five hours of in-hospital treatment three times per week or daily treatment at home. This restrictive way of life significantly impacts the mental and physical health and overall quality of life not only of the person on dialysis but also their family, carers and children. The main goal of the Big Red Kidney Bus is to provide people on haemodialysis with the opportunity to enjoy a much needed holiday with their loved ones, connect with peers on the bus who have a similar experience with kidney disease, and develop the resilience to participate in activities that improve their quality of life.
In June this year (2023) we will be launching the Big Red Kidney Bus in Queensland and thanks to the generosity of the Honda Foundation, we will be able to install a new lift in the Queensland Big Red Kidney Bus so that patients who are restricted to a wheelchair will have easy access for their dialysis sessions whilst enjoying their holiday with loved ones.