A nurse in our dialysis centre
27 May 2011
Young people with kidney disease who struggle to deal with their condition as they approach adulthood are set to benefit from a new initiative at Epsom and St Helier hospitals.
The pioneering new project, which is being run in conjunction with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and led by NHS Kidney Care (the national organisation that works to improve kidney care across England), aims to support renal patients aged 15 – 21 as they make the transition from paediatric (child) to adult care.
Dr Fiona Harris is a senior renal doctor for the Trust and leads the department’s work with young people and adolescents. She said: "Being a teenager can be hard at the best of times, but coupled with a long-term condition that requires time-consuming treatment and a restricted diet, our younger kidney patients do sometimes need extra support.
"It can be particularly difficult as they make the transition to adult services, as some people struggle to cope with the changes to the way they are cared for. It can also be a very daunting period, as this is often the time that young patients begin to plan for the future and can truly see the impact that the disease will have on their lives.
"The challenges faced by young people with kidney disease are often very varied, but they can include issues about attending clinic appointments, and difficulties finding employment or training courses that fit around their treatment. There can also be a reluctance to take medication, due to a lack of understanding and fears over harsh side effects, but this can have devastating consequences for people’s health."
In London and the South East of England, two paediatric renal units (at the Evelina Children’s Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital), serve patients across the area, providing care for all local children with kidney disease. However, when patients reach their mid to late teens, they transfer to one of a number of adult kidney units, including our renal department at St Helier.
Fiona added: "Over the next 18 months, we’ll be working with health partners across the area to further improve the care we’re giving to young adult kidney patients."
Beverley Matthews, Director of NHS Kidney Care, said: "This project will genuinely make a difference to the lives of young people with kidney disease. It will help to identify how best to support this group, and the approaches developed in London will not just help young people locally, but will benefit those across England, who are suffering from kidney disease, and from other long term conditions."
