FOUR Aboriginal people suffering kidney disease have died in Townsville following cuts to health transport services for renal dialysis patients, the Senate has been told.

The Newman state government slashed a taxi subsidies program in May last year.

A community group stepped in and started a minibus transport service in Townsville so the mostly indigenous renal dialysis patients could get to their treatment appointments.

The volunteer program became unsustainable and ceased at the start of February this year, the Senate was told.

Queensland Liberal senator Ian Macdonald urged the federal government to intervene in what he described as a "matter of life and death".

"The cost of travelling by taxi to and from dialysis twice in a week can be as much as $300," Senator Macdonald told the senate.

Senator Macdonald said he had been told of four deaths of dialysis patients within 20 days after the bus service stopped.

In a letter obtained by AAP - to federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek, Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin and Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon - Senator Macdonald urged them to intervene.

He called on them to provide North Queensland Community Transport money to continue the service and pay the volunteer drivers for night shifts.

Senator Macdonald raised the issue during a Senate debate on an Act of Recognition of indigenous people.

He said he was disappointed a Labor backbencher had shouted at him "you wouldn't even know what an Aborigine looks like" and another accused him of being inappropriate.

"I would have thought everyone in this chamber would have agreed with me," he said.

Senator Macdonald said this behaviour was offensive to the people he was trying to help.

He said the ministers had not replied to his letter.

A spokeswoman from the federal Department of Health told AAP patient transport was a state responsibility.

"It is very concerning to see this situation arise which is clearly impacting on vulnerable people in Townsville," the spokeswoman said.

She said the department is looking at the issue and will take it up with Queensland Health as a matter of priority.

Originally published as Govt urged to act after four Qld deaths