A kidney failure patient has been warned that she “will die” unless she can urgently find a new home.

Diane Masterson from Dublin has end-stage kidney failure and has been told she needs to start dialysis within the next three weeks.

On Lunchtime Live today, she said her diagnosis means she must find new accommodation in the capital – and find it quickly.

“My medical team has confirmed that only peritoneal dialysis, which is a very specific form of dialysis and is administered in the patient's home, is suitable to save my life,” she said.

“I will not survive without this, and this is critical.

“My current living arrangements are not suitable; I need a vast amount of storage and decent water quality.

“There’s a huge amount of storage needed for dialysis, like equipment, machinery, and you run the dialysis overnight, every night for eight hours.”

Accommodation

Ms Masterson said “nobody is replying” to her queries for accommodation.

“All I’m asking for is somebody who has a link to a letting agent or an owner with a property that's available immediately, and also who isn't going to try and gouge me and charge me €4,000 a month for it,” she said.

“I’ve reached out to ministers, I’ve reached out to departments and I’ve been pushed from pillar to post – nobody is putting any urgency on this.

“The Irish Kidney Association has been advocating for me and they have specified that I will die without this.”

Diane Masterson. Image: Supplied.

Ms Masterson said she doesn’t have the option of being treated in a hospital.

“I’ve been told it must be done at home; it’s not a choice,” she said.

“There is haemodialysis which is done in a hospital setting three times a week, but I’m not well enough for it so I have to do the peritoneal dialysis, which is gentler and only available at home.

“My hospital appointments are between Tallaght, where the home dialysis team is based, and St James’ Hospital, I can live anywhere between there.”

Kidney failure

She said the necessary equipment for her treatment includes “fairly big, freestanding machines”.

“Then there’s dialysis fluid, there are circa five litres in each bag and you're provided with a bag per day, which is delivered as a monthly supply,” she said.

“You’re talking about boxes in the range of 2ft by 2ft, but 30 of them need to be stored, plus all your tubes, cleaning equipment, the dialysis machine, and your cleaning equipment.

“Aside from anything, it’s a huge financial burden and you’re taking away a massive burden from the State by not doing hospital dialysis.”

Ms Masterson added she “didn’t want to go public” about this issue but has been left with no other choice.

You can listen back here:

Main image: A dialysis machine and bed in a medical center. Image: Paul Vinten / Alamy Stock Photo