Cooma-Monaro Renal Dialysis Group has called on the state and federal government to staff the self dialysis unit at Cooma Hospital.

Mr Whan maintains the current facility is meeting the needs of patients using it.

“The self-care dialysis unit is currently meeting demand and the current number of patients is not sufficient to warrant staffing the facility,” he said.

The dialysis group believe nurses are needed at the facility if the number of patients continues to rise.

There are three patients using the dialysis room at the moment, with two machines in use.

A new chair will soon be installed to cope with extra patients.

One patient is being prepared for dialysis in Canberra Hospital and will soon use the Cooma facility once a buddy is found for them.

One patient is still travelling to Canberra and one is using a bag.

There is also concern that there are up to three dialysis patients in the region who could use the facility if it was staffed but currently have to travel afar to seek treatment.

Mr Whan said even if nurses were employed at the unit some patients may still have to travel to Canberra for special treatment.

“In more severe cases, some people are unable to use the facility at Cooma, self-care or staffed, as they require the support that only a large hospital, like Canberra, can provide,” he said.

Mr Whan said the government would monitor the number of patients using the self-dialysis unit at Cooma Hospital and consider options when numbers increase.

“We are keeping a close eye on the number of patients needing dialysis in the area and will look to staff the facility if the demand becomes sufficient.”