The following is where to find further information relating to articles that appeared in Kidney Matters: Issue 12.
Pages 4-9: Let's talk about sex
A diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects every aspect of our lives including the relationships we have - with ourselves and those intimate, sometimes sexual relationships we have with others. Here eight people, all in their 30s and all with CKD, share some of their experiences, fears and life lessons.
Patient information leaflets:
Both can be found on our booklets page
How to get in touch with a Kidney Care UK Counsellor: See our counselling and support page
Pages 10-12: Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation – tackling two debilitating chronic conditions in one go
Over 40% of kidney patients receiving dialysis also have diabetes. For some of those with insulin-dependent diabetes the option exists of having a simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant. For many patients who receive a SPK transplant, life is completely transformed for the better.
- More information on SPK transplants can be found on the Guys and St. Thomas NHS website
- 2019-2020 NHSBT organ donor and transplant statistics may be found here.
Pages 20-21: Kidney Clinic Anaemia - iron comes first
Anaemia is common in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Effective treatment with iron and, if needed, erythropoietin (EPO) improves symptoms, quality of life and physical functioning in people with CKD.
- See our anaemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) page
- The Renal Association has guidelines for professionals on anaemia of CKD
Pages 28-29: The Peer Support Toolkit
Developed by Professor Nicola Thomas, Professor of Kidney Care at London South Bank University, and Eleri Wood, renal nurse consultant at King’s College Hospital NHS Trust, the Toolkit supports kidney units to establish and maintain a peer support programme to provide informational and emotional support for people with kidney disease.
- For more information on the peer support toolkit visit our peer support toolkit page
Pages 30-31: From the front line Covid-19
At Kidney Care UK we work tirelessly to campaign for better care and support for people with kidney disease. This has been as important as ever during the Covid-19 pandemic and evidence from patients has been a vital part of our work.
- See our coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance for people with kidney disease page
- See also, our latest survey report ‘Out of sight, out of mind’
Page 37: BREXIT - a continuation of reciprocal healthcare arrangements is agreed
On Christmas Eve 2020, the EU UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was formalised. This complex agreement includes confirmation that reciprocal healthcare arrangements between the European Union and the United Kingdom will continue.
Page 38: Can we bridge the dialysis gap?
A large international study confirms the harm of the two-day ‘weekend’ break for people dialysing on a three-times weekly schedule. The study also shows the extra risk of missing one of these sessions.
These studies are available to read online:
- Dialysis non-attendance: Fotheringham J, et al. BMC Nephrology 2020:
- Longer dialysis sessions: Fotheringham J, et al. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 2019
- Four-times weekly dialysis: Fotheringham J, et al. Clinical Kidney