The INCremental dialysis to improve Health outcomes in people starting Haemodialysis (INCH-HD)

Funded by a Health Delivery Research Activation Grant from the Health Research Council.

Haemodialysis (HD) is the primary treatment for advanced kidney disease in Aotearoa New Zealand, but has a 50% mortality rate within five years, alongside a high symptom burden, including anxiety and depression, leading to a poor quality of life.

Currently, the delivery of dialysis services in New Zealand is facing a crisis, with all 15 dialysis centres providing suboptimal care or exceeding their budgets.

Incremental HD allows patients to start treatment twice a week instead of the standard three, potentially enhancing well‑being by reducing the cardiovascular impact and treatment burden, allowing for continued work and family engagement.

This research will explore the effective implementation and evaluation of incremental HD, focusing on benefits for patients, their whānau, and the health delivery system in Aotearoa, starting in March 2025.