Renal medicine (nephrology) — Nelson Marlborough

Nelson Hospital
Tipahi Street
Nelson 7010
Phone: 03 546 1800

Renal services include the care of acutely ill patients as well as those with chronic illnesses who require long-term care.

Nephrologists are medical specialists who focus on disorders that affect the way the kidneys work. For example diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Nephrologists prescribe nonsurgical medical treatments for these disorders.

Conditions seen by a nephrologist may include:

• acute kidney injury – the sudden loss of kidney function (also called acute kidney injury)
• chronic, or long-term, renal failure – gradual worsening of kidney function
• chronic or frequent urinary tract infections
• haematuria – blood loss in the urine
• hypertension – that has not responded to anti-hypertensive therapy
• proteinuria – protein loss in the urine.

Renal medicine services are available at both Nelson Hospital and Wairau Hospital.

Dialysis for kidney failure is only available at Nelson Hospital.

People may be referred to renal medicine specialists by a healthcare provider or other medical specialist.