Key priorities within the Department of Health’s Strategic Framework for Kidney Care in the Isle of Man are being realised with an improved all Island Renal Service. Increased capacity and contingency for outpatient dialysis treatment both at Noble’s Hospital, and through the newly opened Renal Dialysis Unit at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital; improved access to community based renal care; active recruitment and a fast track development training programme, have created a Renal Service that will serve the population of the Island well into the future.
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, said:
'In 2011, the publication of the Department’s Strategic Framework for Kidney Care in the Isle of Man, paved the way for fundamental improvements to Renal Services across the Island. In the UK, there are increasing numbers of patients with chronic kidney disease, and the trend is no different on the Island. The developments which include the opening of the Renal Dialysis Unit at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital increase the capacity for intervention and treatment and provide the Renal Service with potential contingency for enhancements in the future. A key aim of the developments was to deliver treatment, follow-up care and patient education closer to the patients’ homes, so reducing travel time for patients.'
Dr Matthew Todd, an experienced Consultant Nephrologist, leading the Island’s Renal Service, said:
'The continuing developments to Renal Services for the Island are vital. Better integration with Primary Care allows the service to provide care closer to patients, with renal care clinics taking place at the Ramsey GP and Southern GP Practices delivered by Community Renal Nurses. Community Renal Nurses also deliver care in patients’ homes across the Island. The Renal Service delivers care to the highest standard to all patients with kidney problems. With increases in demand for Renal Replacement Therapies, such as haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and pre and post-transplant care, improvements to equipment and resources within Noble’s Hospital and the opening of the unit at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital are significant in building a service for the future.'
Kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable, and based on UK figures affects 8,500 people on the Isle of Man. Advanced kidney disease can be treated by dialysis. All treatment options are tailored to the need of each patient with various different modes of dialysis available at both Noble’s Hospital and the newly opened Renal Dialysis Unit at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital. Both units are able to offer scheduled holiday dialysis for UK visitors.
According to the UK National Kidney Foundation (NKF), about 20% of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease seek treatment ‘late’. Knowledge about kidney disease and damage can help people live healthy lifestyles, thereby lessening this figure. Promoting a healthy lifestyle, helping people to reduce high blood pressure by cutting down on salt, getting more active, preventing obesity and stopping smoking are all important in reducing the risk of kidney disease. The formation of a kidney patients’ association is under discussion.
Clearer diagnosis and referral clinical pathways mean that identification of patients suitable for transplant happen as quickly as possible, with a care model that includes meeting the UK NKF Gold Standard for pre-emptive transplant. 40% of patients with established renal failure are likely to be suitable for transplantation. Liaising regularly with Liverpool Royal University Hospital that provides Renal Service tertiary care for Manx patients means the delivery of excellent pre- and post-transplant care.
Active care management of patients with chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury, including providing the GP and Community Renal Nursing support in the community helps to recognise, plan, reduce and prevent the risk avoidable kidney damage. Development of clearer clinical and diagnostic pathways allows the delivery of the highest standard of care for patients with kidney disease. Provision of quality care, increased patient choices, and liaising with primary care to identify patients earlier in the disease progression will improve the renal patient’s journey and outcome.
