The
NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement have produced the
first newsletter of the High Volume Care Kidney Project. It reports on progress with implementing the findings of the Preparing for End Stage Renal Disease Project, conducted by the Delivering Quality and Value team over the past year. The aim of that project was to answer the question "what are the aspects of an efficient clinical pathway from diagnosis to end stage renal failure to assessment and placement on the transplant list?" by focussing on the year leading up to renal replacement therapy. One thing I notice was that the images in the newsletter were exclusively of people receiving in-centre haemodialysis and hospital settings. I certainly shouldn't be critical of that - even in some early CKD articles, picture of people on haemodialysis have been used to illustrate what kidney disease is. John McCarthy at
Renal Freedom pointed out to me the importance of using realistic images that cover the spectrum of modalities including conservative care. Our images also need to move from those of patients receiving treatment to pictures of people getting on with their lives as well as managing or receiving kidney care. The focus now is on prototyping and testing the products produced by Michelle Webb, Catherine Davies and Jeri Hawkins including:
- a Peer Support framework to other specialised commissioners
- a framework and guidance for setting up a patient befriender service
- tools and guidance for streamlining clinics - aimed primarily at hospital teams but also providing guidance for commissioners
Listen to Michelle Webb talk about the programme.
The Institute team are seeking partners to review the tools using either an online survey or to be involved in a more in-depth facilitated testing scheme. If you want to take part in the testing and introduction of these innovative products you can contact the team at renal@institute.nhs.uk
