Kidney Matters - Issue 12 Spring 2021

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kidney patients, and the need for clear, well-timed
communication for people vulnerable to the virus,
particularly given the frequently changing situation.
“Furthermore, patients
were having to choose
between their health and
their livelihood. Nearly
two thirds of people
expected back into work
were concerned about the
safety, but felt they had to
go back regardless. ”
How have we used these surveys?
We shared the survey reports and recommendations
far and wide with organisations with a role to play in the
Covid-19 response. Since spring 2020, Kidney Care
UK has met regularly with the Department of Health
and Social Care to explain to explain the impact of the
pandemic on people with kidney disease and make
recommendations for action, supported by evidence
from our surveys.
And of course, we are doing everything we can to get
the voice of kidney patients heard in Parliament. We
have written to and met with many politicians who
have spoken in debates and asked formal questions on
our behalf. The statistics in the report are particularly
useful here to strengthen the patient stories we share.
We have also communicated the survey findings to
renal networks managing regional kidney services and
many have used the data in their planning, with better
mental health support a particular focus. The reports
have also been presented at medical conferences in
the UK and Europe to try and raise awareness about
the key issues for patients.
Many of the challenges presented by Covid-19
have been shared by people with other long-term
conditions. Kidney Care UK worked closely with other
patient charities to send a strong, shared message to
policy makers about the support needed for so many
people at high risk from Covid-19.
We will continue to do all we can to keep care and
support for people with kidney disease on the agenda.
Please keep an eye on our website where we share
updates on our campaigns as well as requests for your
enormously helpful input into this work.
Article by Fiona Loud
Kidney Care UK
Policy Director
Through this engagement, our call for dialysis and
CKD5 to be included explicitly on the published list
of conditions included in the ‘clinically extremely
vulnerable’ (CEV) group was finally successful. It also
led to a new NHS England project to improve outpatient
care for kidney patients during the pandemic and
beyond, including developing systems for better
communication between GPs and hospital teams.
For up-to-date Covid-19 advice
and our survey report go to
www.kidneycareuk.org/learn-more
LEARN MORE
Employment
Employment
Mental health
62%
were expected to go back to work as as normal
29%
respondents reported feeling
anxious, lonely or isolated
63%
were concerned about
were safety concerned but had to about return
safety to work but had regardless to return
to work regardless
19%
said their employer has
been said ‘very their unhelpful’ employer has or
‘unhelpful’ been ‘very in unhelpful’ their returnor
‘unhelpful’ in their return
36%
said they were concerned about
their emotional wellbeing
Issue 12 | Spring 2021