HI NENC supports regions primary care teams with new Chronic Kidney Disease focus

A new report puts forward a compelling case for the prevention and improved diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to be prioritised by government and the NHS. 

The report has been published at a time when Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria (HI NENC) is beginning the delivery of work to support primary care teams with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), as part of a wider cardiovascular disease prevention programme. The work will focus on improving earlier diagnosis and supporting early medical treatment of people with CKD  to slow disease progression and reduce the development of cardiovascular comorbidity.

 The report Chronic Kidney Disease and prevention: harnessing the potential of early intervention and disease management, published by Kidney Research UK,  estimates that:

  • 10% of the UK population have CKD
  • the current 30,000 adults and children presently on dialysis could rise to 143,000 by 2033 without action
  • this treatment burden could increase dialysis cost from £1.05 billion to £4.91 billion in the same time period.

Read the Kidney Research UK news story to find out more and to access the full report.

Professor Julia Newton, Medical Director at Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria (HI NENC), said:

“The report highlights the devastating impact of kidney disease on patients, healthcare services and the economy. It also raises awareness that coexisting conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, often cause damage to the kidneys, which can lead to the development of CKD.

“At HI NENC, we have worked in collaboration with health and social care teams to reduce the numbers of people living with cardiovascular disease over the last five years. I’m proud of the role that we will play in supporting primary care teams to detect and treat people living with CKD, in the delivery of our new programme.

“The programme will provide resources and education to support Primary Care Networks to encourage the use of case finding resources, such as CDRC, and local renal guidelines. A particular focus will be on areas of high deprivation, where people are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease as a result of their CKD.

“I would encourage all primary teams within the North East and North Cumbria to find out more about the available support and resources at our webinar on 7th March.”

We will be hosting the first in a series of three webinars for all staff working in Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in NENC on 7th March, 12.00 – 13.00. Register your place here.

To find out more about the Chronic Kidney Disease workstream in the North East and North Cumbria, click here.