Keeping Home Dialysis within Reach

New Assisted PD Guidebook supports renal services to implement Assisted PD programs.

For many patients, home dialysis offers the comfort, flexibility and independence of receiving treatment in their own environment. However, not all patients are able to perform peritoneal dialysis independently, creating a barrier to accessing or continuing a home-based therapy that may otherwise be clinically appropriate.

Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis (Assisted PD) helps address this challenge by providing support for people who need assistance with some or all aspects of their dialysis treatment. It can help patients remain on PD, maintain independence, reduce travel burden and continue receiving care at home. 

Recognising the growing interest in Assisted PD across Australia and New Zealand, Vantive partnered with three experienced Assisted PD leaders – Professor Aron Chakera, Professor Paul Bennett and Debbie Fortnum – to develop the Assisted PD Guidebook. The Guidebook provides practical tools, templates and implementation guidance covering stakeholder engagement, workforce planning, business case development, governance, referral pathways and program evaluation. 

Drawing on their experience establishing and delivering Assisted PD services, the authors have seen first-hand the impact these programs can have for patients and health services.

Professor Aron Chakera said:

"It enabled many patients to remain on peritoneal dialysis and continue living at home when they may otherwise have required transfer to centre-based haemodialysis. The positive feedback from patients, carers and staff reinforced the value of the program, while the broader benefits for the health system became increasingly clear over time."

Professor Paul Bennett added:

"Our Assisted PD program helped so many people remain on PD and not transfer to in-centre HD. It gave them the confidence to remain independent. It was challenging at first but highly rewarding for both patients and staff."

Debbie Fortnum highlighted the difference Assisted PD can make during challenging periods in a patient's treatment journey:

"It allowed patients to stay on therapy, supported until they could again take control. I hope by developing this resource we have made it easier for kidney care teams to make Assisted PD an accessible treatment option for patients in their time of need."

While interest in Assisted PD continues to grow, many services face questions about funding, workforce models, governance requirements and program sustainability. The Assisted PD Guidebook was developed to help address these challenges, providing a practical roadmap that can be adapted to local needs and circumstances.

Considering Assisted PD in your service?

To access the Assisted PD Guidebook or discuss what Assisted PD could look like in your local service, contact your Vantive representative.