UK National Kidney Federation

Minutes of the Council Meeting

held at

St. Thomas' Hospital, London

on

Saturday 27th March 2004 - immediately following the AGM

A quorum of 30% of official representatives was met. 

Mick Hill, in giving a vote of thanks to outgoing chairman, Gordon Nicholas, said he had completed a very successful term as chairman. He had worked hard on many successful projects, such as the 25^th anniversary and the NSF and had always put forward the best interests of the Federation, for which he was to be commended.

470 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Derek Robinson, LGI KPA, Don Taylor, Hammersmith KPA, Val Neary, Gloucester KPA, Yvonne Coxon, North Staffs KPA, Pam Carr, Southport Kidney Fund, Rosemary Barlow, Humberside KPA, Howard Thomas, Hope Hospital KPA, Fred Tring, past vice president, Sue Johnstone, TIME, Ian Cundell, St James’

471 MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2003

Minute 467.  Last line to be changed to read “To be looked at by the Executive Committee.”

Subject to the above amendment, it was proposed by George Baldwin, (Charing Cross), seconded by Bob Smith, (Queen Elizabeth) and agreed unanimously that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2003 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

472 MATTERS ARISING

Chris Roberts, Lister KPA, asked for clarification on the decision taken by the Executive Committee regarding holding a National Kidney Day as outlined in the Chairman’s Report.  He said he thought it was important to move forward on this.  Mick Hill explained that some research had been carried out into this which would be discussed in greater detail in Open Forum.

473 CONFERENCE 2004

Ray Mackey, Conference Sub-Committee Chairman, reported on progress with arrangements for the 2004 conference to be held at the Royal Court Hotel, Keresley, Nr Coventry, 1 – 3 October 2004.  All invited speakers had accepted an invitation to present papers on a wide range of subjects.  5 minute patients' view slots were again being included in the programme, which had yet to be secured.  Volunteers were required to speak after the following presentations:  'The Future Shape of Renal Services', 'Blood-washing of Antibodies', 'Prevention of Renal Failure in Diabetes patients' and 'Ethics – payment for Donor Organs'.  The request for volunteers would be published in the next issue of Kidney Life but volunteers for any of these sessions were asked to contact Ray Mackey.

Three workshops will be held over the weekend, one on Friday evening on the 'Development of the Renal Information Exchange Committee' and two on Sunday morning.

The Executive Committee were pleased to report that, following a lengthy discussion, Fresenius had agreed to continue with full sponsorship of the conference for a further year.  This meant that NKF would be able to offer a 50% subsidy to delegates again this year.  Costs would be as follows:

Special package Sat/Sun 2^nd/3^rd October

Includes: Saturday conference fee, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, evening dinner, B&B, Sunday council meeting

Saturday only

Includes: Saturday conference fee, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon

Following a question from John Powell, SHARP, it was pointed out that whilst these costs represented an increase over last year, no increase in the commercial sponsorship had been received over 9 years and hotel and other associated costs had continued to increase which left the Executive Committee with no alternative but to increase the delegate rate, which they felt still represented good value for money.  It was pointed out that without commercial sponsorship the whole cost would have to be passed on to delegates. 

In answer to a question regarding offering an additional subsidy for Friday, it was pointed out that this was not possible as this would require a reduction in the subsidy offered for the main conference day, which was offered at as low as possible a level to attract as many delegates as possible.

474 REGIONAL ADVOCACY OFFICERS/TRUST GRANT SEEKER

Following the abolition of the 'NKF Agents scheme' the NKF has launched a new scheme which it was hoped would maintain its commitment to helping KPAs.  The Regional Advocacy Officer project will involve the NKF employing three extra people on a part time basis – one in the Midlands, on in the North and one in Scotland.  Bob Dunn will continue to cover national and the south.  An appointment had been made for the Midlands (a husband and wife team of Janine and David Porter), the North and Scotland had yet to be confirmed. 

George Finch had been appointed as Trust/Grant Officer.  Appointments, other than the Scottish Regional Advocacy Officer to commence on 1 April 2004.

475 OPEN FORUM

Alec Schwartz (Guys & St Thomas), referred to the paragraph on Kidney Health in the Annual Report, in which there was reference to the publication of Part 2 of the NSF and asked what NKF were envisaging. 

Bob Dunn said Parts1 & 2  of the NSF had already been published (Dialysis & Transplantation) and Parts 3 (pre-dialysis) and 4 (end of life care) had gone to the Minister for approval and no publication date was known.  Whilst the NSF did not contain any benchmarks or targets the NKF would be monitoring implementation to ensure targets were being met by training ‘Expert Patients’ on what to look out for.  The Regional Advocacy Officers would also be working with these patients and KPAs to ensure standards were being monitored.

Alec Schwartz said that the general public should be made aware of standards for good kidney health, because it was important to educate people on how important the kidneys are.. 

Mick Hill pointed out that the next Section of the NSF was on early detection and making people aware.  GPs also needed to be made aware and the NKF was working on this on a continuing basis. 

National Kidney Day.  Mick Hill explained that the Executive Committee had considered this very carefully and had discussed various ways of achieving this, such as working with TIME, or having a day in National Transplant Week, but it was felt that this would not be financially viable without putting other projects at risk and priorities had to be made on the limited funds.  Other ideas being investigated  was the possibility of television commercials but progress was slow because meetings with UK Transplant had established that their budget was insufficient to allow for this.  He stressed that this suggestion had not been ruled out without due thought.

Alec Schwartz suggested promotional things could be done at KPA level.  Chris Roberts (Lister) suggested that KPAs should have discussions on how to achieve this, one idea being to produce a leaflet illustrating the importance of kidney health which could be distributed to doctors surgeries.

Bob Dunn pointed out that an information strategy programme would accompany the NSF on early detection and supplying information to the general public explaining why kidney disease occurs and ideas for prevention.

Ajodha Ramnarine said that Kidney Life should be expanded to target hospitals, community centres, ethnic churches, mosques etc to get information where it was required. 

Mick Hill said he had attended a function at Regent’s Park Mosque at which NKF had supplied a full range of information leaflets but there had been very little take up which showed that efforts should be concentrated where it would make a difference.

Bob Price (Six Counties), suggested letting the local KPAs do the work.  He said a plan on how to approach the local press and TV should be prepared by NKF and supplied to KPAs to enable them to contact their local media. 

Gary Lloyd said National Transplant Week was the time for KPAs to make awareness of themselves, details of which would be included in the next issue of Kidney Life.  

There being no further business the meeting closed at 3.50 pm.

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