Renal Dietetics
All patients with renal disease, including those receiving dialysis, require specialised dietary advice. The Dietitian provides this advice thorough nutritional assessment, management and education for patients, families and carers. Dietetics services exist for both inpatients and outpatients. Patients must have a referral letter from their renal physician to make an appointment. Services are available at Liverpool, Fairfield, and Campbelltown Hospitals. Patients seeking outpatient appointments can contact their local hospital.
Contact:	Renal Dietitian
Phone:	(02) 9828 6766 or (02) 8738 7138
FAX:	(02)8738 7129
Location:	Clinic G – Reception Point 133, New Clinical Building, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool Hospital.
Postal Address:	Renal Dietetics, Liverpool Health Service, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, NSW, 1871.
Renal Psychologist
Renal Psychological Service
Why might renal patients need psychological services? Renal Psychological services are vital to facilitate patients� coping and to enhance their quality of life and medical treatment outcomes. Renal diseases and treatments can be very stressful and taxing to patients. They would experience a number of problems in coping and adjustment and need professional help foe tackling those problems.   What is the role of the Renal Psychologist? Many people assume that psychologist only work with people who have mental disorders. In fact, there area growing number of psychologist who now work with people who do not have a mental disorder, but who are experiencing difficulties in coping with a medical condition. The Renal Psychologist works with patients to help them and their carers develop strategies to cope with their renal diseases, treatments and any associated difficulties.   What is involved? An initial assessment will be conducted. This provided the Renal Psychologist with a chance to learn about the difficulties being experiences and provides the patient with the opportunity to find out more about how the psychologist works, After the initial assessment, both the Renal Psychologist and patients then will identify realistic therapy goal that they want to achieve. The therapy plan and length will be set. Each session usually takes one hour. Eventually, patients will learn more effective ways of dealing with their problems.   Who can a psychologist help? Patients who are: Finding aspects of their treatment very stressful (eg. Needle insertion); Feeling sad, depressed, helpless or hopeless; Feeling nervous, stressful, anxious a lot of the time; Having difficulty in adjusting to renal diseases and treatments (eg. Fluid restrictions); Experiencing relationship and/or sexual difficulties relating to renal conditions; and Experiencing body image problems and/or low self esteem.   Who can benefit from the psychological service? Renal patients and their carers/families.   How much does the psychological service cost? No cost is involved for Medicare patients.
Contact:	Clinical Psychologist
Phone:	(02) 8738 8771
FAX:	(02) 8738 7205
Location:	Liverpool Hospital
Postal Address	Renal Psychologist, Liverpool Health Service, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, NSW
Psychonephrology Research Group:
This Group is established under the management of the Renal Clinical Research Centre, Renal Unit, Liverpool Hospital. It is a collaborative research initiative comprising health professionals across disciplines and departments in South Western Sydney Local Health District for studying psychological issues and treatments in patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). CKD, like other chronic illnesses contributing to a large proportion of mortality, morbidity, disability, mental problems, and injury, has become a significant and growing global health burden for patients and medical services. Although advancement of medical treatments for CKD has been considerable, many CKD patients suffer from psychological difficulties as a result of CKD more than the general public and need to adapt psychosocially to CKD, so as to live a fulfilling life. Their needs for psychological assistance are apparent. Therefore, it is important to establish research capacity to investigate the effects of kidney disease on patients’ psychological well-being and their adaptational ability to its treatments. The study findings will improve health services for CKD patients, facilitate their psychosocial adaptation to CKD, enhance their quality of life and raise awareness of CKD patients’ need for psychological care
Contact:	Clinical Psychologist
Phone:	(02) 8738 8771
FAX:	(02) 8738 7205
Location:	Liverpool Hospital
Postal Address	Renal Psychologist, Liverpool Health Service, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, NSW, 1871.
Renal Social Work
Provides emotional support, assistance and information to dialysis patients. Work as an advocate for dialysis patients Services provided for patients living in SWSLHD Referrals to this service are required Appointments are required. No cost for Medicare patients.
Contact:	Renal Social Worker
Phone:	(02) 8738 7472
FAX:	(02) 9828 6715
Location:	Clinic G – Reception Point 133, New Clinical Building, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool Hospital.
Postal Address	Renal Social Work, Liverpool Hospital, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, 1871
Hypertension Monitoring Service
Assess & diagnose various forms of high blood pressure , including its relationship to kidney problems Treatment & prevention of end organ damage Provide therapeutic advice for Hypertension & other risk factors Referrals to this service are required by your local Doctor or other Specialist Appointments are required No cost for Medicare patients
Contact:	Hypertension Service Reception, Bankstown Hospital
Phone:	(02) 9722 8257
FAX:	(02) 9722 8369
Location:	Renal Clinic, Bankstown Hospital, Level 2 (near Ambulatory Care)
Postal Address	Hypertension Monitoring Service, Bankstown Hospital. Locked Bag 1600, Bankstown. NSW. 2200.