What to bring
A little preparation can make your dialysis day easier and more comfortable. Bring the essentials for check-in, your current medicine information and a few personal items to help pass the time during your scheduled session.
What to bring to each visit
For each scheduled haemodialysis session, please bring the basic items needed for check-in and your own comfort. This helps the nursing team confirm your details quickly and settle you in for your shift. If anything about your treatment plan has changed, your own renal team will advise you what information or documents should travel with you.
Useful items to have with you include:
- Your identity document or other identification used for clinic records
- Your referral details or any documents requested by your doctor or renal unit
- Your medical-aid information if applicable, or the details needed for private account administration
- An up-to-date list of your medicines
- Your own approved personal items for comfort and entertainment
- Any glasses, hearing aids or mobility aids you normally use
If you are unsure whether to bring a document, it is usually better to keep it with you and let the clinic team advise on arrival.
Medicine information and health updates
Please bring a current list of the medicines you take, including regular prescriptions, over-the-counter items and any recent changes noted by your treating team. The clinic does not replace advice from your own doctor or renal unit, so treatment decisions remain with your renal team.
Your medicine list should be easy to read and kept current. If there has been a change since your last visit, let the nurse know at check-in. It helps if your list includes:
- The medicine name
- How often you take it
- Any recent change made by your doctor or renal unit
- Any allergies or sensitivities already recorded by your treating team
Please do not make changes to your medicines based on general information. If you feel unwell before travelling, or think you may be having an urgent problem, emergencies must go to the nearest emergency unit.
Comfort items for your session
Scheduled dialysis sessions are easier when you bring a few familiar things from home. Choose items that are simple to manage, easy to keep clean and not bulky. Bedfordview traffic can be busy at shift times, so it also helps to travel light and keep your bag organised.
Many patients like to bring:
- A jersey or light blanket for warmth
- Socks and comfortable clothing with easy access as needed for treatment setup
- A book, magazine or puzzle book
- A fully charged phone or tablet with earphones
- A charger or power bank for load-shedding disruptions while travelling
- Lip balm, tissues or other small personal care items
Please label your belongings clearly and keep valuables to a minimum. Shared clinical spaces work best when personal items stay compact and tidy, and when aisles remain clear for staff movement and equipment.
How your visit usually works
Your session day follows a straightforward process from arrival to departure. Exact clinical steps may differ from patient to patient because your renal team decides on treatment, but the general flow is much the same for most booked visits.
- Arrive in time for your scheduled morning, afternoon or evening shift
- Check in and confirm your details, referral information and account details where needed
- Let the nurse know about any recent medicine changes or updates from your doctor
- Settle in with your comfort items while the clinical team prepares for your session
- After your scheduled treatment, gather your belongings and confirm any next booking arrangements
If transport timing is tight, mention it when you arrive so the team understands your collection arrangements. Shift changes are managed around scheduled patient care, so a few minutes of planning can help the day run more smoothly.
What you should prepare before leaving home
Preparation before you travel can save time and reduce stress on the day. Pack your bag the night before if you have an early shift, and check that your important items are in one place. Patients coming from the East Rand or nearby Johannesburg areas often find that morning traffic, rain and roadworks affect travel time, so leave with a sensible margin.
Before leaving home, it helps to check the following:
- Your transport is arranged for both arrival and collection
- Your identification and referral paperwork are packed
- Your medicine list is current
- Your device chargers are packed and charged
- Your clothing is comfortable and practical for the session
- You know how to reach us through the enquiry form on the contact page if an admin query comes up before your visit
If your doctor or renal unit has given specific instructions for your treatment day, follow those instructions. For urgent symptoms or sudden deterioration, go straight to the nearest emergency unit rather than waiting for a scheduled outpatient session.
Accounts, practical arrangements and after your session
Accounts are handled in general according to whether you are attending as a medical-aid patient or a private patient, and whether any authorisation or referral paperwork is required. The clinic can explain the administrative steps, but cover and treatment approvals always depend on the relevant funder and your referring arrangements. No prices are listed here because each account route is handled individually.
After your session, make sure you leave with all your belongings, confirm your next scheduled booking if needed and keep any updated documents together for the next visit. If your renal team has asked for follow-up, bloods or further review, please arrange that through the appropriate doctor or renal unit. The outpatient clinic handles scheduled chronic dialysis sessions and related visit administration, but your wider treatment plan remains with your renal team, and thats the right place for treatment questions.
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Questions we get asked
Should I bring all my medicines with me?
Bring an up-to-date list of your medicines unless your own doctor or renal unit has specifically told you to bring the items themselves. If you are unsure, ask your renal team what they want you to have with you.
Can I bring something to read or watch during dialysis?
Yes. Many patients bring a book, magazine, phone or tablet with earphones. Keep items small, labelled and easy to manage in a shared clinical area.
What if I feel too unwell to wait for my booking?
Scheduled outpatient dialysis is not an emergency service. If you have urgent symptoms or a sudden change in your condition, go to the nearest emergency unit and let your renal team know.
Also worth a look
Ask about a referral or a session time
Send a note through our contact form with your name, your referring doctor or renal unit and the shift you prefer, and the clinic team will contact you.
Open the contact form