Perth residents offered free kidney tests

Perth residents are being offered a free Kidney Check as part of Australia’s first national screening program for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) .

Kidney Health Australia with the support of the Federal Government and BHP Billiton will launch KEY – ‘Kidney Evaluation for You’, an early detection program to evaluate kidney function, cardiovascular health and diabetes in high risk individuals.

With one in three Australian adults at increased risk of developing CKD, Perth residents who are in the high risk group are able to book in to have a free KEY health check.

The high risk group is as follows:

· Anyone 50 years and above or 35 years and above if of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin
· Anyone with diabetes
· Anyone with high blood pressure (on or not on treatment)
· Anyone with a first degree relative (mother, father, brother or sister) with kidney disease

KEY is free and will be available on the 10th, 13th and 14th of March at the Boulevard Centre, Floreat between 9am -5pm (99 the Boulevard in Florey). People wanting to take advantage of the free service should contact Kidney Health Australia (08) 9381 9311 to book a consultation.

Julie Edmonds, WA area manager of Kidney Health Australia said: “Until now a primary health care program for chronic kidney disease (CKD) detection has not existed and the pilot study which will take place in Perth will be a significant signpost for the future evaluation and detection of kidney disease.”