Ifyouareanewreader,welcome!OurmonthlyIn Touche-newsletterisyourgotosourceforthelatest updatesfromtheNationalKidneyFederation
Whetheryou’reapatient,familymembera healthcareprofessionalorasupporter,this newsletterisdesignedtokeepyouinformedand connected
Eachmonth,wesharethelatestupdatesintherenal world,highlightupcomingeventsandcampaigns andprovideupdatesontheworkwe’redoingto supportkidneypatientsacrosstheUK.
You’llalsofindopportunitiestogetinvolved, whetherthroughfundraisingorsimplytohelpraise awareness
Thankyouforsupportingourcharity,wehopeyou enjoythisissue!
Allthebest, TheNationalKidneyFederation
RegistrationisnowopenforKPADay,the eventwillbeheldattheLeonardoRoyal Hotel,BirminghamonSaturday14 March 2026. th
TheNKFareexcitedtobewelcomingKidney PatientAssociationsfromacrosstheUKto whatpromisestobeaninspiringand energisingday.Thiseventoffersafantastic opportunitytocometogetherfacetoface, withampletimefornetworking,connection, andcollaboration,aswellasthechanceto heardirectlyfromKPAssharingtheirstories, experiencesandexamplesofbestpractice.
ThefirstpartofthedaywillseetheAnnual GeneralMeetingtakeplace,whereour trusteesareelectedfortheyear,followedby thecouncilmeeting.
Forthenextpartoftheday,theNKFare delightedtoannouncethatProfessorSmeeta Sinha,ConsultantNephrologistandNational ClinicalDirectorforRenalMedicine,willbea guestspeaker
ProfessorSinhawillprovidevaluableinsights andupdatesonthelatestdevelopments acrosstherenallandscape.TheNKFarealso pleasedtobejoinedbyRonCullen,CEOof theUKKidneyAssociation(UKKA),whowill shareperspectivesontheUKKA’sworkandits impactacrossrenalcareintheUK.
TheafternoonwillbededicatedtoKPAled learningandsharedexperiences,before bringingthedaytoacelebratoryclosewith theveryfirstKPAAwardsceremony.The awardswillrecogniseandcelebrate outstandingcontributionandleadership, includingKPAMemberoftheYear,KPAChair oftheYearandKPAoftheYear.
TheNationalKidneyFederationispleasedto hostaLivingWellwithIgANephropathy PatientWebinar,initiatedandfundedbyCSL Viforwithinputfrompeoplelivingwithand treatingIgAnephropathy
Thesessionwillcover: UnderstandingIgAnephropathy-whoit affects,symptomspeoplemight experience,andthepracticalitiesof managingtheconditionday-to-day followingadiagnosis.
Aspotlightonthementalhealth challengespeoplemightface,andadvice andtoolsforcopingwiththese
Patientandcaregiverperspectivesandtips forlivingwellwithIgAnephropathy
Speakerswillinclude:
Dr.LisaWillcocks,ConsultantNephrologistatCambridgeUniversityHospitalsNHS FoundationTrust.
JudeAllen,SeniorClinicalPharmacist,NorthernCareAllianceNHSFoundationTrust.
Dr.JessicaDean,ConsultantClinicalPsychologist,RenalServicesatSalfordRoyal Hospital.
Patientrepresentatives
ThewebinarwillbechairedbytheNKF’sHeadofMarketing&FundraisingPeteRevell
ThiswebinarhasbeeninitiatedandfundedbyCSLViforwithinputfromtheNationalKidney FederationandpeoplelivingwithandtreatingIgAnephropathy.ItispartoftheNavigate YourNumbersinIgANephropathy(IgAN)diseaseawarenesscampaign.
UK-NP-2600025February2026
EXPERIENCESOFRENALCARE
TheNKFhaswelcomedavisitbytheShadow HealthMinister,DrCarolineJohnsonMP,to LincolnRenalUnit,whereshemetdirectlywith peoplelivingwithkidneydiseasetohearfirsthandabouttheirexperiencesofdialysisand renalcare.
ThevisitformspartoftheNKF’swider engagementwithparliamentarianstoraise awarenessofkidneydisease,whichaffects morethansevenmillionpeopleacrossthe UK,andtohighlightthegrowingpressureson renalservices.Withdemandfordialysis projectedtorisesignificantlyoverthecoming decade,theNKFiscallingforsustained politicalfocusonworkforcecapacity,service resilience,andreducinginequalitiesin accesstohigh-qualitykidneycare.
Duringthevisit,DrJohnsonspokewith patientsreceivingdialysis,listeningtotheir personalexperiencesandtheday-to-day realitiesoflivingwithkidneydisease.Patients describedthephysicalandemotionalimpact oftreatment,thechallengesofmanaging long-termconditionsalongsideworkand familylife,significanttransportissuesandthe importanceofservicesthatareresponsiveto individualneedsandcircumstances.
Discussionsalsohighlightedtheimportance ofpatientchoiceindialysistreatment, includingaccesstohomebasedtherapies, whichcanimprovequalityoflife.Aspartof thevisit,theNKFsharedthesupport available,includingtheirFreephoneHelpline 08001690936andpeersupportservice,and highlightedthatthecharityistheretohelp
supportkidneypatientsandtheirfamiliesat everystageoftheirjourney TheNKFalso discussedwithpatientshowinlocal communities,KidneyPatientAssociations (KPAs)canprovideavitalsupportnetwork andareoftenlocatedinrenalunits.
Ifyouwouldliketofindoutmoreaboutthe NKFHelpline,PeerSupportServiceorthe KPAinyourregion,visitwww.kidney.org.uk.
Homedialysiscanofferpatientsgreater independence,improvedqualityoflife,and betterclinicaloutcomes,whilealsodelivering significantcostsavingsfortheNHS.Despite long-standingnationalrecommendations andatargetforatleast20%ofpatientsto usehometherapies,uptakeremains inconsistentacrossthecountry,withwide regionalvariationandpersistentinequalities.
DrCarolineJohnsonMP,said:“Around30,000 peopleinEnglandrelyondialysistostayalive anumbersettorisefourorfivefoldby2033. That'swhyit'ssoimportantweensure patientshaveaccesstotreatmentwhich offersthemthebestqualityoflife
“Homedialysiscanhelpwiththisbyrelieving pressureonhospitalbedsandsaving patientsthestrainoftravellingtoandfrom dialysisappointments,whichcanlastseveral hours,multipletimesperweek.Itwas enlighteningtospeaktopatientsabouttheir personalexperiencewithdialysisatthe LincolnRenalUnit.”
SiobhanSodiwala,MatronattheLincoln RenalUnit,commented:“Itwashugely
importantforourpatientstohavethe opportunitytospeakdirectlywiththeShadow HealthMinisterabouttheirexperiencesof renalcare.Visitslikethisshinealightonboth thechallengespeoplefacedaytodayandthe dedicationofourstaffinsupportingpatients throughcomplex,lifelongtreatment.Hearing thesevoicesfirsthandisessentialifweareto improveservicesandoutcomesforeveryone affectedbykidneydisease.”
AndreaBrown,ChiefExecutiveoftheNational KidneyFederation,said:“Listeningtopatients andfrontlinestaffisessentialifweareto deliverkidneyservicesthatareequitable, sustainableandtrulycentredaroundpeople’s lives.Homedialysishasthepotentialto transformoutcomesformanypatients,but toooftenaccessdependsonwheresomeone livesratherthanwhatisrightforthem. Engagementfromparliamentariansisvitalto drivingthepolicychangesneededtoclose thisgap.”
TheNKFemphasisedthatimprovingoutcomes dependsnotonasinglemodelofcare,buton ensuringthatpatientsarefullyinformed, properlysupported,andableto accessthetreatmentthatisrightforthem.
Cliniciansandnursingleadershighlightedthe pressuresfacingrenalunits,includingrising patientnumbers,workforceshortages,and resourceandfundingconstraints.TheNKF stressedthatwithoutcoordinatednational action,thesechallengesriskunderminingboth patientexperienceandlong-term sustainabilityofkidneyservices.
Alongsidethesediscussions,theNKF highlightedthe‘7millionlivesatrisk-what's theplan?’,ajointcampaign,callingonthe governmenttocommittoanationalstrategy
forkidneydisease,aKidneyDisease ModernServiceFrameworktosetclear standardsforkidneycareacross prevention,earlydiagnosis,treatment,and long-termsupport(Seepage9).
TheNKFhopesthevisitwillstrengthen parliamentaryunderstandingofthe challengesfacedbypeoplelivingwith kidneydiseaseandreinforcethecasefor modernisingrenalservicessotheyarefit forthefuture,equitable,andcentredon whatmattersmosttopatients.
Pictured:SuziGlover,DrCaroline JohnsonMP,NKFPolicyandPublic AffairsManager,LucyVasiliou,NKF HelplineAdvisor,LindaPickering.
AMEMBERCAMPAIGN
1YEAR
ANNIVERSARY
Asweapproachtheoneyearanniversaryof theNKFBecomeaMembercampaign,it marksanimportantmilestone.Overthepast year,thecampaignhashelpedtransformhow supportisdelivered,funded,andsustained throughthepowerofmonthlygiving.What beganasadrivetogrowmembershiphas evolvedintoastronger,morereliable foundationofrecurringsupportthatisalready makingameasurabledifference.
Monthlygivingcreatesstability,itallowsNKF’s servicestobeexpandedresponsiblyandone yearon,thatstrategyisprovingitsvalue.
Throughmonthlymembership,theNKFhas strengtheneditsabilitytoprovidecontinuous supporttopatients,families,andhealthcare professionals.
Yourdonationsensurethateducational resources,andourpatientsupportservices suchastheNKFHelplineandPeerSupport Serviceremainavailableyearround,notjust whenseasonalfundraisingpeaks.
hasalsoenabledfasterresponsesto mergingneedsandgreaterinvestmentin ngterminitiatives
verthepastyear,engagementlevels mongmembershaveincreased,withmore upportersparticipatinginevents,sharing resources,andadvocatingwithintheir communities.Thecampaignhasbuiltnotjust funds,butrelationships.
Theanniversaryisalsoamomentto recognisethecollectivecommitmentbehind thenumbers.Eachmonthlydonation, regardlessofsize,representsaconscious decisiontoprovideongoinghelpratherthan onetimerelief.
Whencombined,thesesteadycontributions formsustainableservicesandexpands reach.
Lookingahead,theNKFplanstocontinue growingandstrengtheningitsmembership base Thefocusforthecomingyearisnot onlytowelcomenewmembers,butto deepenconnectionswithexistingmembers throughclearerimpactreporting,more engagementopportunities,andmember benefits Mostimportantly,thankyou.Everymember whohaschosentogivemonthlyhashelped buildamoresecureandsustainablefuture forNKF’sservicesandthepeoplewhorelyon them.Yourcontinuedcommitmentmakes thisworkpossible,andwearetrulygrateful foryourongoingsupport.
WhyjointheNKF?
Supportvitalpatientservices yourmembershiphelpsfundourfreeHelpline,Peer Support,andadvocacyacrosstheUK Receiveexclusivememberbenefits
Whatyouget
10%OFFVoucherDiscountonselectitemsintheNKFonlineshopplusexclusive memberonlydiscountdays. InvitestospecialNKFeventsanddiscountedentrytoourAnnualEvent. Earlynoticeofupcomingsales,campaigns,eventsandmore
Yourmembershiphelpsdosomuch
KeepourHelplinerunning-theNKFHelplineisalifelinefor thousandsofpatients.Manycallwhentheyneed immediatehelp,guidanceorjustsomeonewho understands.Membershipdonationshelpensurethisfree serviceremainsavailable
Fundeducationalsupport-ourlibraryofkidneyhealth leaflets(PIF-certified)stayscurrentandfreeforpatients, renalunits,andGPs.Yourmembershiphelpsuscreateand distributetheseresourcesnationwide.
Advocateforbettercareandpolicy—withmember supportwecampaignforimprovedkidneycare,influence policy,andpushforaccessibletreatmentsacrosstheUK. SupportlocalKidneyPatientAssociations(KPAs) your contributionhelpssustainover50KPAsacrosstheUK, strengtheninglocalsupportnetworksandpatientvoices
Together, we can bring hope and support to kidney patients and their families across the UK. Join now https://bit.ly/nkfmembership
TheSpringissueofKidneyLifeisavailabletoviewonlinenow!Itshouldhavealsolandedin yourletterboxforthosewhorequestedaprintedcopy.Ifyouarenotregisteredtoreceivea freeprintedcopy,butwouldliketo,pleaseemailnkf@kidney.org.ukalongwithyourpostal detailsandwewillsendyouone
Inthisissue,webringavarietyofarticlesandfeaturesincluding: Personalstoriesfromourreaders
ExperiencesfrompeopleusingKidneyBeam,anawardwinningonlineappforexercise,diet andlifestyleeducation,plusinformationonhowtoaccessit Andsomuchmore!
Toviewthemagazineonlinevisit: www.kidney.org.uk/news/kidney-life
Asalways,ifyou’dliketoshareyourstorywithusandbefeaturedintheKidneyLife magazine,pleasegetintouchviakidneylife@kidney.org.uk.
On21stJanuary, theDepartmentofHealthandSocialCare(DHSC)andNHSBloodand Transplant(NHSBT)publishedareportreviewingorgandonationacrosstheUK.AttheNKF,we seefirst-handthelife-changingimpactoftransplantationforkidneypatientsandtheirfamilies Byturningpublicsupportintoinformedaction,wecanhelpensuremorepeoplereceivethe transplanttheydesperatelyneed.
Youwillbeabletoreadthefullreporthere: https://www.kidney.org.uk/news/a-bolder-braverapproach-for-organ-donation-in-the-uk
WORLDKIDNEYDAY
ForWorldKidneyDaythisyear,on12March,wearecontinuing withthethemeofDon’tKidYourself,whichisallabout challengingthemythsaroundkidneydiseaseandshininga lightonthetruefactsandwhykidneysmatter.
Willyoubecelebratingtheday?CheckouttheWorldKidney Daywebsitefullofdownloadablematerialsincludingaposter withmythsandfactstosharewithfriendsandcolleagues,a factsheetonkidneydisease,WorldKidneyDaylogoand printableyellowkidneysandsomuchmore!
ExploretheWorldKidneyDayUKwebsite: www.worldkidneyday.co.uk/get-involved/
SUPPORTOURCALLFORGOVERNMENT ACTION
WeneedyourhelptoaskyourlocalMPtowriteto SecretaryofStateforhealthandSocialCaretotake actiononkidneydisease.
FormoreinformationandtosendanemailtoyourMP todaypleasevisit: www.kidney.org.uk/7-million-lives-at-risk-whatsthe-plan
Ifyou’vealreadywrittentoyourMPaboutthe7MillionLivesatRiskcampaign-thankyou! Thereisnowanotherimportantwaytotakeaction.ThenextAll-PartyParliamentaryKidney Group(APPKG)meetingon4March2026willfocusonorgandonationandtransplantation YoucanhelpbycontactingyourMPtoencouragethemtoattend.Itwillprovidean opportunitytoheardirectlyfromcharities,cliniciansandpatientsaboutthecurrent challengesfacingtransplantationservices,theimportanceofincreasingorgandonation,and theneedtoimprovelong-termoutcomesforkidneypatients.
FormoreinformationandtosendanemailtoyourMPtodaypleasevisit: www.kidney.org.uk/7-million-lives-at-risk-whats-the-plan
In2025,kidneydiseasewasofficiallyacknowledgedasaglobalhealthprioritybytheWorld HealthOrganisation(WHO)andlaterinaUnitedNationspoliticaldeclarationendorsedby175 countries.
Itplaceskidneydiseasealongsideotherprioritiesinthenoncommunicablediseasescategory, includinglunghealth,childhoodcancer,andliverdiseaseandnotesthatglobally,thereare morethan674millionpeopleaffectedbychronickidneydisease.
Ongoingadvocacyhashelpedensurethatkidneyhealthshapesglobalpriorities,funding,and actionsonnoncommunicablediseases(NCDs)
Thisinternationalmomentumhighlightstheneedforstrengtheninghealthsystems,integrating care,andmakingsureeveryonehasfairaccesstopreventionandtreatmentplusadedicated nationalkidneystrategyhereintheUK.
AREYOUANADULTLIVINGINSCOTLAND WITHAKIDNEYCONDITIONCALLED PRIMARYIGANEPHROPATHY(IGAN?)
TheScottishMedicinesConsortium(SMC)iscurrentlyassessingthepotentialbenefitof medicinessparsentan(Filspari)andbudesonidemodifiedrelease(Kinpeygo),forthe treatmentofadultswithprimaryimmunoglobulinAnephropathy(IgAN).
Tosupportthereview,theNationalKidneyFederationisgatheringexperiencesfromthose affectedbythecondition,youdonotneedtobetakingthismedicationtorespond.
Ifyou’dliketogetinvolvedorhaveaconversationaboutyourexperience,pleaseemail nkf@kidney.org.ukbyFriday20 February2026. th
NextmonththeReadySteadyGoprogrammewillhostaninteractiveandstimulatinghybrid studydayforpaediatricandadultMDTmembers,focusedonpatientempowerment,shared decisionmaking,transition,andpsychosocialcareacrosslong-termconditions.
Topicswillcover:
•InsightintonewNHSETransitionGuidance(2026)
•Practicalprinciplesandtoolsthatworkacrossservices
•Learningfromthelivedexperiencesofchildren,youngpeople,andfamilies
•Sharingwhat’sworkedsuccessfullyelsewhere
Recordingsofalltalkswillbeavailabletoregistrantsaftertheevent.
Registernow:www.readysteadygo.net/ready-steady-go-hello-study-day2026
Whatisahaemodialysisline?
Atunnelledhaemodialysislineisasoftplastic tubeplacedintoalargevein.Itallowsyour bloodtotraveltothedialysismachineand backtoyouduringtreatment.
-Usuallyinsertedintoaveinintheneck -Sometimesinsertedintothegroin -Partofthelinesitsundertheskintoreduce infectionriskandkeepitsecure
WhydoIneedthisline?
Youmayneedadialysislineifyourkidneysare notremovingwasteandextrafluidproperly.
Dialysishelpsreducebreathlessness,high potassium,sickness,confusion,andheart rhythmproblems.
Whereistheproceduredone?
Insertionnormallytakeslessthan30minutes. Itisdonewithlocalanaestheticinaprocedure room,theatre,orXraydepartment.
Howisthelineinserted?
1. Theskiniscleaned.
2 Localanaestheticisused
3. Ultrasoundhelpslocatethevein.
4. Thelineisplacedusinganeedleand guidewire.
5. Itisstitchedanddressed.
Aftertheprocedure
-Youmayfeelpressurebutnomajorpain. -AchestXrayisusuallydone. -Mildsorenessorbruisingisnormal.
Athome
-Avoidstrenuousactivityforafewdays.
-Keepthedressingclean,dry,andsecure.
-Followyourdialysisunit’sadviceabout showering
Geturgenthelpforheavybleeding,severe pain,swelling,breathlessness,chestpain, fever,ordischargearoundtheline.
Risks
Possiblerisksincludebleeding,arteryinjury, lungpuncture,irregularheartbeat,or infection.Complicationsareuncommon.
Benefits
Alineallowsdialysistostartquicklyandhelps removewasteandfluid
Alternatives
Longtermoptionsincludefistulas,grafts,or peritonealdialysis.
Lookingafteryourline
-Keepclampsclosed. -Ensurecapsaretight. -Keepdressingcleananddry. -Avoidscissorsorsharpobjects -Washhandsbeforetouchingtheline.
Ifsomethinggoeswrong
-Openclamp®closeandinformrenalunit. -Missingbung®replaceandcallrenalunit -Loosedressing®replaceorseekhelp. -Leakorcrack®clampandcallurgently. -Signsofinfection®callurgently.
Pictured:NKFPeerSupporter Carolinewithadialysisline.
Torequestthefullleaflet aboutdialysis,dialysislineor toreceiveourfulldialysis informationpackplease contacttheNKFHelpline–helpline@kidney.org.ukor call08001690936.
We’vemovedthechallengeearlierthisyear,sothere’snobettertimetogetactiveand makeeverystepcount.JointheBestFootForwardChallengethisAprilandwalkorrun 72,208stepstoraisevitalfundsforpeoplelivingwithkidneydisease.
Whetheryoupreferabriskwalkaroundthepark,joggingthroughyourneighborhood,oreven dancingyourwaytofitness,everystepyoutakebringshopeandsupporttokidneypatients andtheirfamiliesacrosstheUK Bytakingpart,you’llalsobeboostingyourownmentaland physicalwellbeing,it’sawin-win!
Raise£10ormoreandyou’llreceiveanexclusivepairofchallengesockstocelebrateyour achievement!
Why72,208steps?
Thisisn’tarandomnumber.ItrepresentsthetotalnumberofpeopleintheUKcurrentlyliving withakidneytransplantorreceivingdialysis.Everystepyoutakeisasteptowardhelping someonewhodependsontheselife-changingtreatments.
Behindeverycharitychallengesignup,there’sa reason.ThisisJoanne’s: "TheBestFootForwardChallengewasthefirstcharity eventI’devertakenonalone.Afterbeingdiagnosedwith chronickidneydisease,Ijoinedthechallengelastyear andsetmyselfagoalof3,000stepsaday even trainingamonthinadvanceatmylocalgym."
Nowit’syourturn.TakeinspirationfromJoanne,set yourowngoal,andmakeeverystepmatter.
Byjoiningthechallenge,you’llbehelpingtofundfree supportservicesforkidneypatientsandtheirfamilies, providingadvice,emotionalsupport,andpractical guidanceatatimewhenit’sneededmost.Yoursteps willmakeareal,life-changingdifference.
Signuptodayandstartyourjourney: www.kidney.org.uk/bff2026
Don’tforgetonceyouhavesigneduptojoinourclosedFacebookgroup!
Alreadysignedup?Don’tforgettosetupyourJustGivingpagetotrackyourprogressand shareyourjourneywithfriends: www.justgiving.com/campaign/bestfootforward2026
NKF KPA MEMBERS
Currentlythereare54KidneyPatientAssociations(KPAs) whoaremembersoftheNKF Pleasefindthedetails belowoftheKPAsavailableorformoreinformationplease contacttheNKFofficeon01909544999oremail chris@kidney.org.uk.
ChrisTalbot
NKFMembershipDevelopmentLead
IfyouareaKPAthatwouldliketobecomeanNKFmember, pleasecontactchris@kidneyorgukorcall07908845713 WeareproudtosupportKPAsandtobethepatient voiceacrosstheUK.
FindyourlocalKPAtoday: www.kidney.org.uk/kidney-patient-associations
Discoveropportunitiestoshareyourexperienceand supportkidneyresearch.
TheNKFhavecreatedapageonlinewhereyoucan exploreallthecurrentopportunitiestotakepartin studies,surveysandinterviewsrunbyhealthcare professionalsandmedicalstudents
Theseprojectsaimtodeepenunderstandingofkidney diseaseandyourinsightscouldmakearealdifference.
https://shorturl.at/Ssw9V
