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COVID-19 updates for New Zealand Kidney patients

Please check in here regularly for updates on renal advice and links to services throughout the country.

As of Wednesday 15 April 2020 New Zealand continues to be under a state of emergency for another 7 days and from Wednesday 25 March 2020 at 11.59pm New Zealand is at COVID-19 level 4 for four weeks.

Key advice for kidney patients in New Zealand

If you have a critical incident call 111. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have believe you have been with someone who has COVID-19 let the person on the phone know this.

Whilst NZ is at COVID19 level 2, 3 or 4 the following patients should self isolate:

• Kidney Transplant recipients
• Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
• Home Haemodialysis Patients
• CKD 4 and 5 patients
• Patients who are immunosuppressed (Patients taking Prednisone >10mg/day, Cyclopsorin, Tacrolimus, Azathioprine, Mycophenolate Mofetil, Methotrexate, Cyclophosphamide or who have had Rituximab in the last 6 months)

Hospital Haemodialysis patients should self isolate EXCEPT when they are attending for dialysis.

When attending for dialysis you should take practical measures to minimise close contact with other patients if possible.

IF YOU ARE UNWELL: You should not attend the dialysis unit without calling ahead first and making specific arrangements. You should not come for dialysis by group shuttle but should seek alternative arrangements to make your way to dialysis.

You should continue to take your normal medication and only cease medication if directed by your GP or Renal Doctor.

If you are unwell please contact either your GP, Healthline and if you have been directed to by your unit your specialist nurse.

Further information on self isolation can be found at https://covid19.govt.nz​

Note that this means that family members also need to do the same if living with the patient.

If you are an essential worker and are one of the people listed above you should consider self-isolating. Speak to your renal department if you are unsure or need further advice.

If you are living with a person on the list above and are an essential worker, you should isolate away from the person listed above or not go to work. See the information regarding financial support for carers below.

This message in other languages, click on the links

• Chinese
• Korean
• Tuvaluan

Renal units including Starship and GP Practices

If you are unsure first ring your GP practice for advice, then your renal unit. In most cases patients are being offered tele-clinics. Its important you do not go to the hospital unless you are given an appointment to come to the hospital. If you are sick call ahrad and check where you should go.

Your renal team have undertaken significant preparation for patients with COVID-19. The most imporatnt message is to ring your GP or renal unit first and to let them know if you have any symptoms. You can see here the checklist that renal teams are following based on the best practice and scientific evidence being shared throughout the world   

What is COVID-19 and what does it mean for me?

General information regarding COVID-19 from ADHB here

Concensus statement on the use of angiotensin receptor blocker and angiotensin coverting enzyme inhibitors in relation to Covid 19 here or in pdf format here

Guidance regarding (Flu) vaccine for adults, here

Guidance regarding (Flu) vaccine for children, here 

Please note that in most cases where kidney disease has been diagnosed the flu jab is free. Its important that if you can get the flu vaccine that you do. Make sure you check with your GP. If its not free and your doctor says you should contact KHNZ on 0800 543639.

Financial support

For those who are self-isolating or those caring for them note the following:

The COVID-19 leave and self-isolation scheme financially supports workers to self-isolate, or stay home when sick with COVID-19. Helping businesses and workers to do the right thing.

Travel Support

The Total Mobility Scheme is available throughout NZ , details here: https://www.transport.govt.nz/land/the-total-mobility-scheme/

Please see the following regarding Transport Support here

Who to contact

In every case if you feel unwell ring your GP service, if you do not get an answer ring your local hospital and ask for the renal service

Kidney Health New Zealand can be reached on:

• 0800 Kidneys (543 639) or
• email to info@kidney.health.nz, 
• on Facebook here
• or Linkedin here.

Just message us, we're here to help. We update our Facebook and Linkedin pages regularly. Please like, share and follow our pages so others see the information too.

Support group contacts

Auckland District Kidney Society

Please see important information from the Society here