Hawke's Bay District Health Board says a special renal dialysis training unit, will make a huge difference for patients and staff.
Hastings hospital has the country's third largest intake of kidney patients, with a 50% increase this year.
Renal clinical nurse manager Janine Palmer says it's only two years since the DHB employed its first renal specialist.
She says this week's opening of a training and self care renal unit means patients can now be taught to do their own dialysis at home.
Ms Palmer says the unit will play a signficant role as there are already nearly 100 people on a dialysis programme.