It will be in Blackpool from September 30 to October 2 2005. Nick Richards of Fresenius has pledged to support it to the same level as this year.

What is NKF doing to promote the policy of presumed consent?

Chief executive Tim Statham said it had been NKF policy since 1999 to work for presumed consent or opt out. When the question had come up in parliament in the Human Tissue bill, the Government had imposed a three-line whip to block it, and the feeling was that it would be futile to try again before the general election. There would be a meeting of industrial partners on November 10, when there would be a discussion on what to do next.

What can be done to promote the organ donor card after Alder Hey and Bristol?

Ken Tupling suggested that the card should be signed by the next of kin as well as the named person. Ray Mackey said he had seen this in Dublin. Other suggestions were:
• Sending a number of donor cards to patients and ask them to get their friends to sign them.
• Soliciting the support of religious leaders for organ donation.

Could different religions promote organ transplants?

There was general consensus that all religions were in agreement with organ transplants. Mick Hill talked about the work of Cynthia Davis in London and Roy Bradbury, chairman of SAKA, said that UK Transplant had brought out a new leaflet which gave guidelines on religious beliefs and organ donation.

Why can’t the NKF make the conference more attractive to patients from the ethnic minorities?

The question was put by Shirley Ramnarine from St Mary’s KPA, who said she had been a nurse for 38 years and saw patients from ethnic minorities in practically ever shift, but very few at the conference, pointing out that there was not one session for ethnic minority patients. Several people pointed out that there was nothing stopping them from filling in the form and coming. Trevor Waithe from the Royal Free Hospital KPA said the NKF was not at fault and in his experience people from the ethnic minorities had little interest in the conference. Mick Hill said the NKF had 30,000 members but they struggled to get 400 to come to the conference. Ajhoda Ramnarine said that the NKF should have a national Kidney Day to promote the value of kidney care.

Why is a Redy portable haemodialysis machine no longer available?

It was very difficult to use, said Bob Price of Six Counties KPA, who had used one up to three years ago. It was the size of a coffin and had to have fluids and charcoal added. It was really for home haemodialysis users who had been trained to dialyse themselves.

Editor’s note: a new portable dialysis machine for home haemodialysis users is being developed at Oregon State University.

Next >>Conference Exhibitors