Peritoneal Dialysis is an excellent way of maintaining patients in the community with endstage
renal failure who would otherwise be dependent on hospital haemodialysis. It
offers patients independence and flexibility. The near continuous removal of fluid and
uraemic metabolites results in “steady state” physiology and biochemistry, allowing even
elderly patients and those with cardiovascular disease to tolerate dialysis treatment with
few side effects. While some aspects of care of these patients will necessarily fall to the
Renal Unit (e.g. biochemical and nutritional monitoring), there are many other clinical
areas where genuine shared care is appropriate. These include non-renal medical,
surgical and gynaecological problems, psychological and social aspects of illness,
diabetes care, and assistance in the assessment of fluid balance.