11 March 2009
Doctors, nurses and other staff from the renal unit at St Helier Hospital are inviting local people and patients to visit a stand they are running at the hospital on World Kidney Day (Thursday 12 March) to raise awareness about chronic kidney disease and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Experts will be on hand to speak to visitors about the illness, which affects around 10% of the adult population world-wide with an additional 30% of people not aware that they even have the illness.
The event, which will take place in the re:treat restaurant between 10am and 4pm, will also give people a chance to have their blood pressure tested as well as find out more about the work of the Trust's renal team.
Dr James Marsh is the Clinical Director for renal services and manages the renal unit. He explained: "Chronic kidney disease is an illness that is becoming more common and many people do not know they have it until it is too late, and the damage to their kidneys can't be undone.
"People with the illness often have cardiovascular disease too, which makes them prone to heart attacks or strokes. It also means that we can screen patients for early signs of kidney damage which may prevent the need for dialysis."
As part of the event, the Trust's renal nurses will be promoting the NHS Organ Donor Register, asking visitors if they would like to donate their organs after their death.
Transplant nurse Christina Ho, explained: "Joining the NHS Organ Donor Register is the best way to ensure you can donate your organs after your death. Research has shown that families receive a great amount of comfort knowing that the organs of their loved ones have gone on to help someone else live".
"Offering this gift of life to someone after your death is the most special thing anyone can do. There are currently around 200 people on the waiting list at the Trust for organs, so joining the register can make a real difference."
World Kidney Day is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about kidney disease.
It was launched in 2006 and is a joint initiative between the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations.
The Trust's renal department employs 13 consultants and 180 nurses. The team treats approximately 5,000 patients a year and has five satellite dialysis units across south west London, Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire. These allow patients to dialyse closer to their homes.
Also based within the department is the South West Thames Institute for Renal Research. A team of doctors and researchers carry out research into the conditions which lead to progressive kidney disease, in the hope that we will be able to find better ways of preventing and treating kidney disease in the future.
