Travelling on home haemodialysis

For many of those on dialysis, being able to travel is an important part of maintaining their lifestyle and wellbeing. Fortunately, it is still possible to travel, even if you are receiving home haemodialysis treatment.

Before you start your trip, you will need to take the proper precautions to ensure you have the right treatment plan in place. You’ll also need to work in collaboration with your dialysis healthcare team to help you stay healthy, even while you are away from home.

Preparing to travel while on home dialysis does require some planning on your own and in collaboration with your dialysis healthcare team. Luckily, there are a number of options available to help you stay on top of your treatment. Some of these include:

Booking a dialysis chair with the Big Red Kidney Bus – the bus travels to a range of holiday park destinations around New South Wales and Victoria throughout the year. Make sure you book at least 2 weeks ahead of time – the bus can get busy during peak holiday season.
Taking your machine with you – your home dialysis machine can be used anywhere while you travel, whether that be by caravan, trailer or boat.
Going to a fixed dialysis house or campervan – determine if there is an already available fixed dialysis machine that you can use.
Organising dialysis at another unit near your destination – if you know your travel destination, contact a dialysis unit close to where you’re staying well in advance so they can accommodate you on the days you require. Visit our Dialysis Unit Guide to find a dialysis unit near you.
Organising a special holiday tour with dialysis included – there are a number of travel tours available for patients currently undergoing home dialysis treatment.

No matter the travel treatment option you chose, you need to make sure you’ve confirmed your plan with your dialysis healthcare team.

If you have a portable dialysis machine, you can use the machine for your treatment while on the go. With a bit of extra planning and effort, you can enjoy your holiday and stay healthy while travelling.

To use your dialysis machine correctly while travelling you’ll need to follow a few guidelines. Some of these include:

Making sure you take your machine and dialysate bags with you. If you don’t have any bags with you, ensure they can be delivered to your final destination.
Checking if your machine needs to be linked to water treatment. If your machine requires water to function, you’ll need to factor this into your travel plan.
Talking to your dialysis healthcare team. They are an essential part of all your travel plans and are available to support you with technical support and advice.

There’s a lot to explore in our own backyard. If you’re looking to travel locally around Australia, then the Big Red Kidney Bus program can help you to explore and stay on top of your home haemodialysis treatment.

The Bus is available for all dialysis patients, all over Australia. It travels to popular tourist locations throughout regional New South Wales and Victoria. From stunning Torquay to coastal Ballina, the Bus can take you to beautiful coastal and popular tourist destinations throughout these two states.

We’re also expanding the route of the Victorian bus route to include a visit to picturesque Tasmania. If you would like to secure your place on this special Big Red Kidney Bus program starting in 2021, check with us for dates and locations.

If you have any questions about our holiday programs, or would like to make a booking with the Big Red Kidney Bus, please call the Kidney Health Australia Helpline on 1800 454 363.

Big Red Kidney Bus

The Big Red Kidney Bus makes it possible for people on haemodialysis to enjoy a much-needed holiday. Read more about eligibility, locations, dates and how to book your spot on our Big Red Kidney Bus page.