In 2006 the need for a Renal Nursing Rover was established on ward 4BR at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, to meet the spiralling demands and exponential increase in the care workload of renal patients that were located outside of our unit eg ‘the Renal Outlies’.

Its 2008 and the world of the renal rover has been ‘reloaded’ due to a marked increase in renal patients. This is a result of an aging population, increased standards of medical care, reduced hospital places in the unit, Infections due to Multi resistant micro-organisms and the increasing associated multifaceted care structures. This has necessitated the expansion of the Renal Rover role at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

With a multidisciplinary team consisting of a Nephrology Consultant, Nephrology Registrar, Nephrology Resident and the Nephrology Pharmacist the Renal Nursing Rover and its role has evolved into a position that will continue to be instrumental and responsible for the present and future care of Renal Outlie patients and their dynamic and intricate models of care.

The evaluation of the Renal Rover Role proved the position to be invaluable. The introduction of the Renal Rover Role has helped reduce the average length of stay and reduced the occupied bed days of these outlied Renal Patients.