Renal Medicine

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The Department of Renal Medicine is involved in the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic kidney disease.

We provide general nephrology clinics; work up for dialysis and transplants, and renal replacement treatment with all dialysis modalities.


This is a regional service, covering the central North Island, with over 400 patients on dialysis, including two large home based programmes of peritoneal dialysis and  haemodialysis, and satellite haemodialysis units in Tauranga and Rotorua. 


There are 160 patients with functioning transplants under regular follow up. This  service has a dedicated 16-bed ward with an attached acute dialysis unit. We work closely with colleagues in interventional radiology, vascular surgery and urology.

Who are we: Four full-time consultants Three registrars Two house officers Specialist pre-dialysis and dialysis nurses Transplant co-ordinators.

Teaching programme: Twice weekly teaching ward rounds Weekly radiology meeting Weekly journal club Weekly renal teaching Biopsy reviews.

Regional Renal Unit

The Regional Renal Unit covers all end stage renal failure and dialysis services for the Midland region. This encorporates Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Tairawhiti DHBs.

We have a 12 bed incentre facility and a seven bed acute dialysis unit with around 80 patients requiring renal replacement therapy. There are two satellite dialysis units based in Tauranga and Rotorua which are clinically responsible to the Renal Unit and there are 50 patients based at these units.

We have a central Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Training Unit that covers all PD for the Midland region and there are currently 218 patients, which is one of the largest units in Australasia.

The home haemodialysis training unit has 60 patients at home on dialysis and has been doing home training for almost 30 years and is a leader in its field.

Predialysis and Transplant Services are also based at the Renal Unit.

Who we are:

• One clinical nurse manager
• One clinical nurse educator
• 15 speciality clinical nurses
• over 30 staff nurses
• One renal social worker
• Two clerical staff.

We have a sound six week orientation programme that is well designed. We encourage staff to extend their education and promote post graduate studies along with good opportunities to attend conferences and inservices.

The unit is an exciting and stimulating place to work with great staff and patients.