UK National Kidney Federation| PRESENT: | Mr G Nicholas | Chairman |
| Mr M Hill | Vice-Chairman | |
| Mr G Lloyd | Vice-Chairman | |
| Mr D Griffen | Treasurer | |
| Mr A Ramnarine | Secretary | |
| In attendance: | Mr T.F.Statham OBE | Chief Executive |
| Mrs J Bartlam | Office Manager | |
| Mr R Dunn | Advocacy Officer | |
| Mrs S Edwards | Secretary | |
| Mrs J Oldfield | Helpline Manager | |
| Mrs K Wright | Kidney Life Editor | |
Plus 28 Official representatives and 80 representatives as per the Attendance Registers. |
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A minute’s silence was observed to remember Freda Nelson, St James’ KPA and all those who have died during the year
Apologies were received from Ewen Maclean, Scottish Federation, Rosemary & Ray Barlow, Humberside KPA, Janet & Tony Reed, Chesterfield KPA, Derek Robinson, LGI, Yvonne Coxon, North Staffs KPA, Max Bacon, Addenbrookes’ KPA.
It was proposed by David MacDonald (Wessex KPA), seconded by Roger Dear (SEKPA) and agreed unanimously that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2003 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
Minute 458. Renal Health. Skin Problems. A letter had been sent to Renal Unit Directors outlining the NKFs concerns regarding skin problems for transplant patients.
The Chairman presented his report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting.
It was proposed by Frank Howarth, seconded by Shirley Griffiths and agreed unanimously that the report be adopted.
The Treasurer presented his report, highlighting the following:
The position is very healthy with £457,023.86 cash in hand and at the bank
Turning to income and expenditure, he explained that this was the first time the Business Plan had been used and incorporated in the forecast. He said the situation would be reviewed at the year end and modifications made if necessary.
Year to Date. The following were highlighted.
Income. DOH Leaflet Grant (£11,250) compared to £7,500 in 2002. The increase was due to securing a DOH project grant of £15,000 last year.
Donations from Industry Partners. 3 new industry partners have joined since this time last year
Total income £297.775 compared to £274,744 last year.
Expenditure.
Grants: £750 compared to £5,750 the previous year. The reduction was due to a timing difference in the payment of the Kidney Alliance grant.
Conference. £31,565 compared to £33395 last year. No direct comparison could be made at this time as the conference was held later last year.
Staff Costs. £55,474 compared to £63,314. The reduction was as a result of some costs being allocated to projects.
It was agreed that questions would be taken at Open Forum.
It was proposed by Sarah Agboola on behalf of Guy’s & St Thomas’ KPA that there was an urgent need for the NKF to clearly identify and widely publicise rules for a lifetime of good kidney health.
The motion was seconded by John Powell, Southend KPA.
Sarah Agboola suggested that NKF should organise a national kidney day to raise the awareness of kidney disease within the general public. She pointed out that the general public knew about heart disease but did not realise the importance of the kidneys and how to look after them. She said that the general public were not aware that high blood pressure can damage the kidneys and how extremely serious the situation can become. She suggested publicising what could be done to prevent kidney failure.
In supporting and seconding the motion, John Powell (SHARP) said he agreed these were very important points and that kidney disease needed a higher profile.
The chairman pointed out that the organisation of such an event would be costly and NKF would require additional funding in order to organise a national kidney day.
David Benoliel (Six Counties) suggested that this could be combined with National Transplant Week and NKF should do research with its medical advisors to see what anyone can do to prevent kidney failure because it is not like heart disease.
Sue Johnstone, TIME pointed out that there was a National Kidney Day during National Transplant Week. She said there was no reason why a national kidney day should not be incorporated into this and they would be willing to work with NKF to achieve it.
Bob Price (Six Counties) suggested that for NKF to conduct a PR exercise would not involve huge cost. He suggested that this could be carried out by NKF preparing the necessary press releases to send to KPAs to contact their local press.
Mick Hill (Charing Cross) said he supported the sentiments but thought that a national kidney day could be of limited worth. He suggested it would be better to link it with National Transplant Week. He also suggested that NKF should seek medical advice on what should be done to prevent kidney failure. It would not be of broad interest across the whole population.
Don Taylor (Hammersmith) suggested an article should be produced to go in other journals which would be cheap.
Sarah Agboola said whilst she thought it was a good idea to have a day in National Transplant Week kidneys may become overshadowed by transplantation and in order to get people to think about this illness kidneys should have their own day. Vivienne Dodds was not in favour of it being part of National Transplant Week and little was done during this week in their area.
David Griffen suggested getting an industry partner interested in supporting leaflets and stickers etc. Tim Statham said he could not answer for industry partners. They were already very generous and NKF were already looking for funding for next year’s conference but if Council wish him to approach them he would do so.
David Benoliel said he believed the motion should be changed to ask the executive to investigate the feasibility of the motion.
An amendment to the proposition was proposed by David Benoliel and seconded by Jean Aplin as follows:
That the NKF executive committee investigate the feasibility and necessity of holding a National Kidney Day.
A vote was taken on the amendment which resulted in:
8 in favour
20 against
A vote was taken on the original proposal which resulted in:
22 in favour
3 against
The proposal was carried.
To be looked at by the Executive Committee.
The Chairman said that this year’s conference had appeared to go well. Conference 2004 would be held at the Royal Court Hotel, Keresley, Nr Coventry on 1 – 3 October.
Tim Statham explained that the sponsors, Fresenius Medical Care, had indicated that their current level of sponsorship could not continue. Sponsorship was spent on subsidising conference delegates by 50%. If Fresenius are unable to continue a this level of sponsorship and have to reduce it substantially it will be necessary to find another sponsor, which may prove difficult. If this could not be resolved it would mean that the full conference cost would have to be passed on to the delegates.
It was agreed that KPAs should be notified of the cost of attending conference 2004 by the AGM 2004.
The chairman asked everyone to send in their conference questionnaires as they were very important in planning future conferences.
Suggestions for next year’s conference included:
Ray Mackey explained that the way speakers presented their papers was out of the conference committee’s hands. He said he believed the content was what was important and he asked delegates to have some tolerance with the presentations.
Julie King (Addenbrooke’s KPA) said she was not pleased with the Coventry venue as there were too many steps for people with walking difficulties and asked that this should be taken into consideration.
Bob Dunn drew attendees attention to the notice from PCTS in their conference pack inviting patients to join their committees. He said it was extremely important for patients to become involved as PCTs did not know much about renal specialised services. This was an open invitation for patients to join and he urged them to do so.
John Powell (SHARP) explained that he was on a regional commissioning group and he had received correspondence notifying them that hospitals who had not joined the Renal Registry and did not submit data were no longer to get funding. Bob Dunn pointed out that this was a general circulation memo. The intention by the NHS was to try to push all hospitals to join the Renal Registry. They are being given a deadline to do so or funding will be withheld.
Bob Price (Six Counties) asked for NKF bank account details. It was agreed that details of bank accounts and interest rates be supplied to Bob Price.
Gemma Benoliel (Six Counties) asked if copies of replies to the letter sent to Renal Unit Directors about skin problems could be circulated. The chairman explained that no replies had been received or expected because the letter was merely a suggestion that all patients should have a full body check.
Don Taylor (Hammersmith) said they had been disappointed that the Agents Scheme had fallen through because of lack of interest from KPAs. He asked what ideas were in place to replace the scheme. Gordon Nicholas explained that he was investigating other ideas but this would need to be discussed by the Executive Committee first.
Chris Roberts (Lister) suggested there was a need for more promotional ideas to increase the number of organ donors. He asked KPAs to consider this at their meetings with a view to producing as many ideas as possible.
Sharon Orpen (Wordsley) said their KPA had discussed the Agents Scheme but they did not see a need in their area. She suggested that the DOH grant obtained for the scheme should be used by the NKF to employ a suitable person. The chairman explained that the terms of the grant did not permit it to be used other than for the purpose for which it had been awarded. Whilst the application had been approved the money was not awarded until the project started and therefore NKF were not in receipt of this money.
Neil Macauley (Exeter) suggested that it was vital to allow sufficient time for delegates to address the speakers at the conference and more time should be given to Question Time.
Bob Dunn reported that his local TV coverage of national transplant week had been good and he suggested that more use of local radios, free newspapers and local radio were good sources for KPAs to to feed information.
It was proposed by Bob Smith, seconded by Shirley Griffiths and agreed unanimously that the Chairman’s report be adopted.
It was proposed by Ray Mackey, seconded by Frank Burke and agreed unanimously that the Treasurer’s report be adopted.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 11.25 am.