 |
 |
 |
 |
Modernising renal services
Please note, this page is a summary of the full conference speech (click here for the full transcript).
Jane
Verity
Jane Verity has worked in health administration for over 20 years. In 1999 Jane took on a wide remit that included renal, liver and general medical services. With the announcement of the Renal National Service Framework her time has been dedicated to leading the renal NSF policy team.
"I sense a feeling today that NHS managers and staff feel that the NHS plan is making practical improvements to patient care and to the patient experience", said Jane.
"What of course is important is that you as patients also feel that things are getting better".
The National Service Framework programmes were the key drivers for the Government's modernisation strategy, backed up by underpinning programmes.
"For example, the Diabetes NSF is supported by £27m for the purchase of specialised digital cameras for screening, as well as a series of National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on the management of blood glucose control, hypertension and patient education", she said.
The Renal NSF had not yet been published but supporting programmes were up and running in anticipation. NICE appraisal of home haemodialysis would give patients greater choice, and currently best practice in immunosuppressive regimes was being looked at. Her team at the Department of Health was pressing NICE to put the management of anaemia for kidney patients on their agenda.
There was money in the system to underpin the development of the NSF - £32m capital funding secured for three years starting in 2003/4 to build up dialysis capacity. This brought the total investment to £60m since the NHS plan was introduced in 2000. So far that money had delivered some 400 extra haemodialysis stations, and the 450 extra stations pledged in the NHS plan by 2004 would be delivered on time. At the heart of all NSFs were the expert patient principles.
There had already been a noticeable shift from peritoneal dialysis to haemodialysis, in the figures from the Renal Registry. In 2001, 68 per cent of dialysis patients were on haemodialysis compared to just over 50 per cent ten years ago, seen against a backdrop of an increasing pool of patients. She mentioned the Transplant Framework for England, 'Saving Lives, Valuing Donors'. UK Transplant was now receiving many calls each week from intensive care staff to check the organ donor register, which had 10.7m names on it now and aimed at 16m by 2010. She thanked the many patients who had given advice for the External Reference Group for the NSF. Transport was top of the list of issues, followed closely by access surgery, holidays, education and information.
"You need to visualise the future and you need to help your local renal unit in realising that picture", she said.
"Your unit will want to know your views, either through your KPA or through the patient forums. You can help shape the future, as ultimately success can only be measured by you".
Please note, this page is a summary of the full conference speech (click here for the full transcript).
Ian
Mathie - Patient Presentation 1
This website is intended for UK residents only.