The National Kidney Federation (NKF) has welcomed a visit by Martin Vickers MP for Brigg and Immingham, to the Grimsby Dialysis Unit at the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, where he met directly with people living with kidney disease to hear first-hand about their experiences of dialysis and renal care.

The visit provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people living with kidney disease and to highlight the support available through the National Kidney Federation. More than seven million people across the UK are affected by kidney disease, and the NKF works to ensure that patients and their families have access to the information, support and advocacy they need throughout their journey.

During the visit, Mr Vickers spoke with patients receiving dialysis, listening to their personal experiences and the day-to-day realities of living with kidney disease. Patients described the physical and emotional impact of treatment, the challenges of balancing dialysis with work and family life, significant transport issues, and the importance of services that recognise and respond to individual needs.

Discussions also highlighted the importance of patient choice in dialysis treatment, including access to home-based therapies, which can help improve quality of life and provide greater independence for many patients.

Home dialysis can offer patients greater independence, improved quality of life and positive clinical outcomes, while also delivering significant cost savings for the NHS. However, access to home therapies remains inconsistent across the country, with many patients still facing barriers depending on where they live.

As part of the visit, the NKF shared information about the services it provides to support kidney patients and their families, including its Freephone Helpline (0800 169 09 36) and Peer Support Service, which connects patients with others who have lived experience of kidney disease. The charity also highlighted the important role played by Kidney Patient Associations (KPAs), many of which are based within renal units and provide valuable local support networks for patients and their families.

Martin Vickers MP, commented:
“It was a privilege to visit the Renal Unit at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital and see firsthand the dedicated work of the medical team. Meeting with the National Kidney Federation also provided a valuable insight into the ongoing needs of kidney patients in our constituency.

Providing high-quality, accessible treatment for those requiring dialysis is essential. I am grateful to the staff for their commitment and to the NKF for their tireless advocacy on behalf of patients. I will continue to support efforts to ensure our local health services have the resources they need to support those living with kidney disease.”

Andrea Brown, Chief Executive of the National Kidney Federation, said:
“Visits like this are incredibly valuable because they give parliamentarians the chance to hear directly from the people living with kidney disease every day. Kidney patients often face complex challenges that go beyond treatment alone, from travel and work to managing life around regular dialysis. It is vital that their voices are heard and that they know support is available through organisations like the NKF.”

If you would like to find out more about the NKF Helpline, Peer Support Service or the KPA in your region visit www.kidney.org.uk.

Clinicians and nursing leaders also highlighted the pressures facing renal services, including rising patient numbers, workforce challenges and increasing demand for specialist care.

The NKF also discussed the importance of continued national focus on kidney disease, including the need for long-term planning and improvements in early diagnosis, treatment options and patient support.

The NKF hopes the visit will help increase understanding of the realities of living with kidney disease and reinforce the importance of ensuring kidney services remain accessible, sustainable and centred around the needs of patients.

Alongside these discussions, the NKF highlighted the ‘7 million lives at risk - what's the plan?’, a joint campaign, calling on the government to commit to a national strategy for kidney disease, a Kidney Disease Modern Service Framework to set clear standards for kidney care across prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and long-term support.