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St Vincent’s Private Hospital’s new renal dialysis unit in Lismore is a godsend for locals and visitors suffering chronic kidney failure.

Kevin Baldwin, from the Central Coast, who needs dialysis for four and a half hours three times a week, said he could now visit his terminally ill son – prominent local disability advocate Jacob Baldwin.

“Previously I haven’t been able to get a seat at the renal unit at Lismore Base Hospital, so this truly has been a godsend for me,” he said.

“I go to a top renal dialysis unit at Bondi Junction in Sydney and this one is every bit as comparable.”

The $1 million development has 10 dialysis chairs with state-of-the-art nephrology equipment providing the latest advancements in technology and patient comfort.

Hospital board chairman Frank Hannigan said the facility was part of an ongoing plan to provide for a growing ageing population in the region.

Lismore City Council is proposing an $8000 deficit for next year’s budget, which will rise to $108,000 if the special rate variation is not approved next week.

Councillors agreed on Wednesday night that even if the council and State Government did not approve the special 3.51% rate variation they would go ahead with some of the proposed projects tied to the rate rise, albeit on a much reduced scale with  a total cost of $100,000 next financial year.

These include the development of a biodiversity management strategy and its implementation, both costing $60,000 a year during the next two years.

It will also fund the ongoing position of a City Centre Manager to undertake business promotions at a cost of $40,000.

Lismore will get a second radiotherapy machine, a high-tech PET scanner and a 20-unit accommodation centre for cancer patients under a $9.1 million announcement to be made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today.
Cancer specialist Dr Adam Boyce, who was involved in preparing the submission, said the PET scanner would help attract and keep specialists in heart and brain disease, as well as cancer, while the second radiotherapy unit and the accommodation complex would improve the service’s ability to cater for the region.

All three levels of government must work together to solve the housing affordability crisis on the Northern Rivers, Federal Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek said yesterday. With Page MP Janelle Saffin, she visited Lismore and Ballina to inspect three new housing projects for ‘high need clients’ on the social housing waiting list.
The projects are worth a total of $10.5 million, with the ones in Ballina funded through the Economic Stimulus Plan.
The Lismore development is part of the National Rental Afordability Scheme and has been developed by Baptist Community Services.
“It’s really great to get out and see the work actually happening” Ms Plibersek said.
But the Minister – who also visited Lismore’s Soup Kitchen – admitted the Northern Rivers had a ’severe housing shortage’. She said projects like these would make a huge difference to the community and in reducing homelessness.
“It doesn’t solve the problems overnight, but it does start to make a difference, particularly in a region like this” Ms Plibersek said.
“Janelle Saffin is always talking to me about the housing needs in this area. But I think it’s absolutely something that all three levels of government should work together on.
“Councils can get involved; they can make a really big difference when it comes to housing affordability.”
The Lismore project, on the corner of Dibbs and Dalziel Streets, will include 13 one-bedroom and 13 two-bedroom townhouses.
It will be completed by mid 2011 at a cost of $5 million.
“The group of townhouses built will be rented out to seniors and people with a disability for 20 per cent below the market rate” Ms Plibersek said.
“We are making sure there are new places being built to help fix the critical renting accommodation shortage.”