Melbourne Kidney Specialists
Our team is dedicated to providing patients with a comprehensive service in Renal and General Medicine, including Peri-operative services.
We focus on the health and well being of our patients, and aim to provide resources and management based on current medical research.
WHO WE ARE
At Melbourne Kidney Specialists, we are a team of specialists in Renal Medicine dedicated to looking after your kidney health. You can be assured that we have the skills and capability to assist in your health needs. We also have a Neurologist providing Neurophysiology services.
I am an experienced Nephrologist, with a Private Practice based at Epworth Hospital, Richmond. My patients appreciate my warmth, honesty, and open communication. I’m determined to help my patients understand their own health using evidenced based practice principles. I am heavily involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. I have held many senior positions in the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and I am a member of the College's Senior Examiners Panel.
With years of experience, I understand how to work with my patients to ensure they receive the best care possible. My thoughtful and personalized approach means I’m fully committed to the health and well-being of all my patients. Read below to find out about services I provide. With a Kidney Doctor like me, and you’re in great hands.
I am a Nephrologist, currently working at Epworth Hospital and Royal Melbourne Hospital. I have held a number of senior positions with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and am currently a member of the Senior Examiners Panel for the College. I am an active clinical researcher, and have been involved in clinical trials, ranging from the pivotal studies of Tolvaptan in adult polycystic kidney disease, through to the use of mesenchymal stem cells in diabetic kidney disease. I believe knowledge is power, for both patient and doctor, and with my open communication style will help you better understand your kidney disease and your treatment options.
Dr Marcus Tan attended The University of Melbourne and graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1997. He completed his training as a Nephrologist in 2008, and was duly admitted as a Fellow of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. During his training, he has worked at The Alfred Hospital, Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Dr Tan's areas of medical practice include General Nephrology and Dialysis, General Medicine and Perioperative Medicine.
Private practice is located at the Epworth Medical Centre, Richmond. Dr Tan has private admission rights to the Epworth Hospital, Richmond, Freemason's Hospital, East Melbourne and Melbourne Private Hospital, Parkville. Dr Tan also provides inpatient consultations at the St Vincent's and Mercy Private Hospitals.
Dr Tan continues to be actively involved with medical education through the Epworth Healthcare, the RACP and the medical schools at the University of Melbourne and Monash University.
Dr Fiona Chow is a physician specialising in kidney disease. She received basic and specialist physician training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She subsequently completed a PhD in Medicine at Monash Medical Centre investigating the cause of diabetic kidney damage, where she presented her work at conferences within Australia and internationally. Since 2015, she has been in full-time clinical practice. She has admitting rights at Epworth Richmond and Epworth Freemasons Hospitals. She aims to provide holistic and thoughtful care to her patients, and has an interest in acute and chronic kidney disease, haemodialysis, general internal medicine and perioperative care.
Available Soon.
Edmund is a medical graduate from The University of Adelaide in 2004. He completed his specialist training through Austin and Western Health. He was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in Renal Medicine in 2012. He went on to gain overseas experience in Singapore where he was Director of the Haemodialysis Unit in a 1000-bed tertiary hospital and was appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor in Singapore’s oldest and top internationally ranked medical school.
Edmund returned to Melbourne to continue his passion for excellence in medical care. He has a Master of Public Health from the University of Sydney and reflects his interests in health prevention. Edmund is interested in all aspects of Renal Medicine/Nephrology including diagnosis and management of acute/chronic kidney diseases and blood pressure disorders. He spent 1 year training at the Austin Hospital in blood disorders as a research fellow. Edmund also has interests in General and Perioperative Medicine.
Edmund continues to teach medical students and medical trainees in his roles in various private and public hospitals. He continues to advocate for compassion and patient autonomy in patient care.
FAQS
In this section you will find answers to some of the most common queries that we receive regarding appointments, patient care and costs. Please click on the tabs below to see the answers and feel free to contact us if you need further clarifications.
- Our Location
- Parking
- Public Transport
- Cancellation
- Who can make an appointment?
- What to bring to your first appointment?
Our Location
Our practice address is Suite 5.2, Level 5, 32 Erin Street, Richmond 3121. We are situated at the Epworth Centre entrance (in Epworth Hospital, Richmond).
Parking at Melbourne Kidney Specialists
Parking is available on-site via the Epworth Hospital – underground (Bridge Road Entrance). Please check the website for parking pricing:
https://www.epworth.org.au/who-we-are/our-locations/epworth-richmond
Metered parking is available along Erin Street and Lennox Street.
Please allow extra time to find parking.
Public Transport
Tram
From the Melbourne city: you can catch the tram 48 towards North Balwyn from Collins Street or tram 75 towards East Burwood from Flinders Street and get off at tram stop number 15.
Train
The closest train station is the West Richmond Station which is on the South Morang and Hurstbridge Lines. Richmond Station on Swan Street is a 15 minute walk away.
Cancellation
Appointment Time/Lateness
Our doctors endeavour to start all appointments on time. In consideration to other patients, please be present at your scheduled appointment time (or 5-10 minutes earlier for new patients). Our doctors reserve the right to reschedule appointments if patients are more than 20 minutes late.
Cancelling appointment
When patients do not show up for an appointment, other patients lose the opportunity to be seen. Please allow at least one business day before your scheduled appointment to cancel or reschedule your booking. A cancellation fee of $50 applies to non-attendance or late cancellations (less than 24 hours).
Who can make an appointment?
We require a referral from your general practitioner or specialist prior to booking an appointment.
We accept Private, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), Workcover, and TAC patients.
What to bring to your first appointment?
Referral
A current referral from your GP or treating specialist is required prior to booking your appointment.
A list of your current medications
Investigations
Any relevant reports of ultrasound, MRI, CT, X-rays and blood tests if available.
Medicare, DVA, Aged Pension Cards
WorkCover/TAC patients
We require relevant documents relating to your claims from your insurance in order for us to bill directly to your insurance.
For WorkCover/TAC patients seeing Dr Kiers
Prior approval is required prior to the test being performed (where the request is generally made by the referring doctor or the case manager), or you will be required to pay the full fee on the day.
Patients should be able to get the full amount reimbursed by the insurance if approved by the case manager.
Additional Information for Dr Lyn Kiers patients
It is preferred that you do not use any moisturiser or lotion on the day of your appointment. Loose fitting clothes are recommended for easy access to arms and/or legs during conduction of the test. The test will take approximately 15-30 minutes. Please allow at least one hour for your visit.
Please advise if you are on blood thinning medication.
EMG/NCS
Lynette Kiers is a Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Melbourne and Director of Clinical Neurophysiology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. After completing her medical degree and neurology training at the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Lyn embarked upon postgraduate training in clinical neurophysiology at the Mayo Clinic and Massachusetts General Hospital, USA. During this time she initiated a number of research projects utilizing transcranial magnetic brain stimulation to study corticospinal pathways and motor control, in addition to obtaining her American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. She has extensive experience in clinical neurophysiology and botulinum toxin injections for a range of neurologic diseases. Lyn has been involved in numerous peripheral neuropathy trials, particularly in the area of demyelinating neuropathies, as well as being the Neurology Advisor on several committees addressing IVIg criteria and Governance.
Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) are a diagnostic test used to evaluate the peripheral nerves and muscles. It can be helpful in evaluating weakness, muscle pain, numbness, and pins and needles. Common conditions referred for NCS include carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy. Sometimes Electromyography(EMG) will also be required, such as for evaluation of spinal nerve root compression, muscle disease, and acute traumatic nerve injuries.
Nerve conduction studies involve stimulating the nerves on the surface of the skin and recording from either nerves or muscles. This causes a tingling/throbbing/tapping sensation and may cause the muscle to twitch. There are no side effects or after-effects and most patients find the test to be only mildly uncomfortable. If EMG is required, a fine disposable needle will be inserted into several muscles and recordings of the muscle activity is made. This is not required in most cases but may be indicated for investigation of muscle disease, and also for some generalized or focal nerve disorders. Rarely this results in a bruise or small haematoma (collection of blood) at the site of needle insertion, which will resolve spontaneously. Please advise Dr. Kiers if you are on blood thinning medication.
Dr. Kiers will issue a report at the end of the test. This should be taken back to your referring doctor for further discussion regarding diagnosis and treatment.
CONTACT US
Melbourne Kidney Specialists is committed to providing quality and comprehensive healthcare. To learn more about our clinic and how we can help you, get in touch with us today.
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8.00am – 5.00pm, Friday 8.00am – 3.00pm
Address: The Epworth Centre, Suite 5.2, Level 5, 32 Erin Street, Richmond VIC 3121
Email: reception@kidneymedical.com.au
Phone: 03 9428 9577
Fax: 03 9428 8789
