Lions Club and Renal Service Partnership
Renal Services began in the Northern Rivers in 1974 in a small annexe at the rear of the Lismore Base Hospital, with two patients and two haemodialysis machines donated by the local Lismore Lions’ Club.
Today in 2006, the North Coast Area Renal Service is the largest rural renal service in NSW, based on patient numbers. The Renal Service is comprised of a number of modern renal units including those located at Lismore Base Hospital, Ballina District Hospital and Grafton Base Hospital and contract services at John Flynn Hospital.
This growth is the result of a close partnership between the North Coast Area Health Service and the Lismore Lions’ Clubs. Apart from providing the first dialysis machines for use by the Service, Lismore Lions Club also funded the building of the original renal unit at Lismore Base Hospital, the Bill Tresise Memorial Renal Unit.
In 1997 a refurbished Bill Tresise Memorial Renal Unit was opened in the main hospital at Lismore. This new unit was funded by Lions’ International as part of the 50 year celebration of Lions in Australia.
Lions’ Club support provided the original impetus to establish the Renal Service and their continued support through ongoing fund raising is invaluable to the continuation of the Service.