Patients with kidney problems are seeing a real change in how they receive their care, with services becoming more patient-centred and responsive, according to a report published today by the Department of Health. It also praises the momentum that has built up in the renal community since the publication of Part One of the Renal National Service Framework (NSF). This progress has been reinforced by the publication of Part Two in February this year, which has been warmly endorsed by primary care and other bodies.
The report notes the progress made by the renal community, including patients and carers, in putting into place programmes that will underpin delivery. The Renal Advisory Group (RAG), found the reaction of the professional and patient groups to Part One of the NSF was consistently positive, citing the clear vision for the development of an effective, efficient and patient-centred service that it provided.
Launching the report, Health Minister Rosie Winterton said:
"I welcome the report's view that the excellent work by the renal community has meant we are already seeing a sea-change in recognising the importance of a patient-centred renal service. The Renal NSF set out a vision for change and improvement to be met over the next decade, and we all - government, the NHS and patients - will need to play our part in making it a reality. So it is very encouraging to see that this extensive 10-year programme to modernise renal services is already delivering real improvements for people with kidney disease."
Dr David Colin-Thome, co-chair of RAG, says;
"The report highlights national and local initiatives that will be an inspiration and a resource for the renal community. This report demonstrates how together the government, the NHS, patients and carers, and other stakeholders have grasped the opportunity to change and improve renal services."
The RAG will host two summits with key stakeholders this Autumn to look at how work on implementing the NSF standards and quality requirements can be taken forward and a series of regional events to engage with local stakeholders will follow early in 2006.
Notes to editors
1. The National Service Framework for Renal Services was published in two parts. Part One covering dialysis and transplantation was published in January 2004 and Part Two looking at Chronic Kidney Disease, Acute Renal Failure and End of Life Care was published in February 2005. Together they set out a 10 year programme for modernising renal services.
Key elements of the NSF include five standards and four quality requirements to be met over 10 years:
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) - helping primary care staff to spot the early signs of CKD because early intervention can often prevent the need for dialysis or transplant.
Access to information which will enable patients to make informed decisions about their care in order to manage their condition and maximise their quality of life.
Early preparation for dialysis once diagnosed all patients will be prepared for dialysis early enough to maximise their opportunities to receive the broadest range of possible treatment options and minimise the complications and progression of the disease.
To ensure patients commence dialysis in a planned way. Fast, effective surgery to provide appropriate vascular access for haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis to ensure patients are well prepared as dialysis becomes necessary.
Acute Renal Failure (ARF) - encouraging the NHS to use all opportunities to reduce the incidence of ARF and cut the number of deaths by reinforcing NICE guidelines on pre-operative testing, early identification of people at risk and prompt treatment when people need the specialist skills available at critical care units.
Dialysis to best suit the needs and preferences of the individual patient Patients will be able to interchange between the different types of dialysis depending on their clinical and lifestyle needs.
Improve the access to and outcome of renal transplants for all those who will benefit from this treatment.
End of Life Care - extending good palliative care practice to people with established renal failure who are near the end of their lives. Ensuring that people who do not wish to receive dialysis will be able to die with dignity in a place of their choice.
2. Delivering the National Service Framework for Renal Services, September 2005 reports primarily on progress towards implementing Part One of the Renal NSF. It notes that key stakeholders have become enthused and are already making a difference to the care of people with kidney disease.
3. The Renal Advisory Group (RAG) is jointly chaired by Dr David Colin-Thome and Dr Donal O'Donoghue. The RAG will host two topic summits with key stakeholders this Autumn to look at how a particular topic (acute renal failure and paediatric renal services) can be taken forward and the NSF standards and quality requirements implemented. A series of regional events to engage with local stakeholders across the broad range of the NSF will follow early in 2006.
4. For media enquiries only, call Department of Health press office on 020 7210 4984. Public enquiries call 020 7210 4850
