NKF Letters

From: THE ROYAL INFIRMARY OF EDINBURGH, Social Work Department

Date: 6 December 1999

Our local Patient Association has asked us to put up posters within our Dialysis Unit advertising your National Kidney Helpline.

We are more than happy to do this as we appreciate the value of information and support for patients - indeed over the past year we have started running Pre-Dialysis Education classes, at which our existing patients play an important part.

We have, however, in the past encountered some difficulties with outside agencies giving general advice to patients, which has been misinterpreted and has caused disappointment, and at times distress, to our patients.

I would be grateful if you could advise us as to the training of those who answer calls to the Helpline will be given in advising patients of treatments available, and of supporting those who are clearly anxious, distressed or depressed.

As I say, we are more than happy to advertise this service, but are understandably slightly cautious. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

Richard R Dingwall

Senior Social Worker

From: Mr Timothy Statham OBE
National Kidney Federation

To: THE ROYAL INFIRMARY OF EDINBURGH, Social Work Department

Date: 13 February 2000

Dear Mr Dingwall

Thank you very much for your letter 6th December and for raising the points about the National helpline that concern you.

Firstly the background:-

The NKF has been the Kidney patients charity, run by patients for patients for 20 years. Staff at the Worksop headquarters have been giving advice and information to patients and carers since 1979 when the Federation was formed by Kidney patient associations themselves. The helpline, which is a new service, is funded by the Department of Health, the National Lottery and Fresenius medical care.

At no time do members of staff either at the Worksop headquarters or on the new helpline give medical information that should more properly be given by the patients own doctor or specialist. We are quite adamant that to do so would be wholly incorrect, we do not advise patients on any matter concerning their individual treatment. The Helpline is much more to do with support for patients and carers, finding insurance, planning holidays, informing them of Government legislation that affects them, benefits etc etc. The staff that have been specifically employed for the Helpline have been trained by the existing Worksop staff who have a long record of experience in these matters.

Our aim is to reduce distress - not exacerbate their problems.

Yours sincerely,

Tim Statham
National Kidney Federation

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