Carbonear dialysis unit a life changer for kidney patients in the region

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The importance of local dialysis services was reinforced during the marking of World Kidney Day at Carbonear General Hospital on March 13.
Dialysis was established in Carbonear in 2005, with twenty-five patients initially receiving it. Don Coombs, the chief development officer of the TCP (Trinity-Conception-Placentia) Foundation, remembers talking to people who wanted to come home from the mainland, but could not do so because there was no place closer than St. John’s to get their dialysis treatments.
“The rural Avalon has bent over backwards to make sure that we ensure that people can come home and spend quality time, too, with their families,” said Coombs.
Helen Clarke, the TCP Foundation’s chairman, thanked the foundation’s board members, supporters, and the dialysis team. “Without each and every one of you, there would be no dialysis unit at the Carbonear General Hospital,” said Clarke.
Clarke said kidneys are often overlooked in health discussions, even though they are essential for survival. Nearly one in 10 adults are thought to have some form of kidney disease, though many of them are unaware.
“Kidney disease can lead to kidney failure requiring life-saving treatments such as dialysis or kidney transplant,” said Clarke. “But the good news is that kidney disease is preventable… Let’s advocate for access to kidney care, especially in regions where treatments are limited.”
Deanne Squires, who has spent the past 15 of her 38 years in nursing at the Carbonear dialysis unit said the bond between patients and staff is almost familial. “It speaks volumes that I want to stay there, I’m still there, I’m happy,” said Squires. “The patients are happy, and it’s such a wonderful and rewarding place to work.”
Debbie Walsh, vice president and chief operating officer for NL Health Services in the Eastern Rural zone, said the number of people requiring dialysis has been increasing by about six percent every year. “I don’t think anybody still, as much education is out there, really understands, unless you’re already a patient or a nurse in a kidney care unit, truly the impact of kidney disease on your life,” she said.
Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest rates of diabetes and heart disease in the country, both of which are precursors to kidney disease. The major risk factors are diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history.
“I think that’s where we need to be very, very careful in what we’re doing, what we’re eating,” Walsh said. “Keep fit, active, and keep an eye on your blood sugar, or your glucose.”
Carbonear’s dialysis unit is being expanded from nine chairs to 15.
“That will increase the number of treatments, obviously significantly, and we anticipate that that would not only meet current need, but future need, just based on projections and the numbers of patients demanding or needing dialysis,” said Walsh. “And it will keep patients from having to stay in the city and waiting to come out here for dialysis, or, as Don said, anyone that’s moving here in the province and moving to this area having to wait to get dialysis or having to drive back and forth to the city.”
Currently the unit provides one 135 dialysis treatments a week. With the expansion, it will be able to give one 180. As most patients get three four-hour treatments a week, this means the expansion will allow for the treatment of 15 more patients.
Newfoundland Health Services in St. John’s is also providing equipment for people to undergo dialysis at home.
Walsh commended the Carbonear dialysis unit for its work. “It’s not only a nurse-patient relationship — you’re family,” said Walsh. “And I think that’s what we see. I see it, I think everybody sees it, and I think that’s what makes you unique here in dialysis in Carbonear.”
Trevor Eveleigh, a former medic and now a dialysis patient at Carbonear Hospital, was diagnosed in Alberta in 1998 after experiencing intense back pain and blood in his urine. He was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, which his mother and two uncles also suffered from. He and his wife, Peggy, moved back to Newfoundland two years after his diagnosis, and had two sons. He began receiving dialysis in mid-December of 2023.
“I had reached a point in my life where I was tired, and I was miserable, could no longer do my job as a medic,” said Eveleigh. “I couldn’t get through the daily routines without extreme tiredness. My kidney function had dropped down to 12 percent.”
The family decided it was time for him to step away from work and begin dialysis.
“This was the start of my new normal,” said Eveleigh. “While it was an emotional day, and a hard decision, I told my family and friends that I had two choices: start dialysis and live, or don’t, and we all know what the consequences are.”
For the first week, Eveleigh had to receive dialysis in St. John’s to ensure he was stable enough to complete the process in Carbonear. “I remember when I walked in the Carbonear dialysis unit on the first day, I quickly learned, that while dialysis can be hard physically and mentally, from the minute I showed up, I was warmly welcomed, and already knew that these people felt like family,” he said. “Everyone that is a patient in that dialysis unit is treated with professionalism, love and care, and a good bit of the time, some jokes to brighten your day. The dialysis team goes above and beyond to make you as comfortable as possible for your treatment.”
Eveleigh emphasized the importance of organ donation and how it can save lives. It turns out, Eveleigh’s wife is a match for him, and he should have his “new” kidney sometime this year. “I look forward to continuing my life,” said Eveleigh. “Once this happens, I’ll be glad to turn that dialysis chair over to someone else who needs it. And I’m sure they will receive the same wonderful care that I had.”