A Kidney Choices Information Day, hosted by the Renal team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and sponsored by Lancashire Teaching Hospital’s Charity, was attended by 50 patients from across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The Kidney Choices Team at The Trust cares for approximately 740 patients each year with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) with around 370 of these planning for Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT). The team provides information and support to patients facing the difficult decision on the type of dialysis to choose and helps to prepare patients for starting dialysis, both mentally and physically.

Alice Bernstein, Kidney Choices Sister says, “Starting dialysis is life changing, it involves treatment at least 3-5 times a week, ongoing. Dialysis improves symptoms of CKD but has a huge impact on patient’s quality of life in terms of work, family and lifestyle. Fortunately, many patients now have different dialysis choices, including options for home dialysis.

We are very grateful to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity for supporting this event, one which was so positively received by our patients, I’d also like to thank our patient volunteers for their time providing support to others who need to make their renal replacement choices.”

The annual patient education event gives people the opportunity to view dialysis machines and equipment and to meet others who are already on dialysis. Having peer support from those already on dialysis is vital in helping our patients decide which treatment will suit them and leaves them feeling less isolated. Seeing dialysis machines in real life can help individuals work out what will better suit their home environment and prepare them for what is ahead.

Alongside information on dialysis, the event also provides information on kidney transplant, diet and anaemia and a representative from Kidney Care UK provided advice to patients on benefits and accessing grants.

Paula Wilson, Head of Charities at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says, “We are delighted to be asked to fund this important event which really benefits our renal patients, supporting both their physical and mental wellbeing as they embark on such a vital journey. It’s also great to see such an exchange of knowledge, ensuring new dialysis patients have all the information and advice they need to make informed choices about their future treatment.”