You and your partner (or carer) will need to successfully complete a training programme – it usually takes 6–8 weeks.

HD treatment is usually done three times a week for approximately 4 hours. But increasingly a variety of alternative options are available for home patients. Every-other-day dialysis, short daily dialysis and nocturnal (night time) dialysis are all well accepted Home HD options. Discuss with your doctor if these options are available and suitable for you.

You will need sufficient space at home to store the dialysis machine, water treatment system and supplies.

If you perform Home HD, you need to have additional electrical or plumbing outlets installed. In addition, your energy and water usage will increase. You will need to have a telephone for technical service and, in rare cases, emergency use. You can talk to your social worker or training nurse to discuss these issues.

The patient together with the healthcare team discuss/decide, whether a partner (or carer) for Home HD for dialysing at home will be required.

A partner (or carer) would be able to assist when the patient has problems like visual impairment, lack of hearing or using hands and arms.