NKF Annual Event 2026

I will be making the case that pre-emptive transplantation (i.e. transplantation without starting dialysis first) is good for patients and healthcare systems. I will be highlighting what can be done to try and make sure that patients who can be transplanted pre-emptively are transplanted rather than the default of expecting dialysis first.

Drew has worked as a renal social worker for over 13 years. He is on the committee of the UK RSW group. He has recently completed a professional doctorate researching the kidney patient’s views and experiences of RSW support with the aim of improving RSW services, enhancing understanding of the role from the patient’s perspective and increasing the evidence base for the importance of the SW role for kidney patients.

I first found out about my kidney disease around 20 years ago, just as I became a father. I’m grateful to share my story of Grateful Living with you, taking you through my kidney failure, dialysis, transplant, and my new life now four years post transplant, as I reach a milestone birthday. I’ll talk about the purpose I found in community, learning, sharing, and my new normal as I go through my kidney journey.

I live in Cambridgeshire with my wife Anne and daughters Eva and Kitty. I am an active NFK Peer Supporter and raise money for my local Kidney Patient Association. I am a patient voice on the East of England Renal Network.

Chris was born with kidney issues and had his first kidney transplant at 18 months old. He has since had three further transplants before the age of 23, and he now attends dialysis three times a week. He has written an autobiography about his experiences called Transplants and Fears – it is available to buy through Amazon and from the Wrexham University library. Chris is an active member of the Outside/ In group at Wrexham university, a focus group with representatives with lived experience of health needs. He is currently a Kidney Wales volunteer ambassador and a Wrexham Maelor Kidney Patient Association member. 

Emma graduated from the University of Wales Institute Cardiff in 2000 and began her dietetic career in the West Country, holding positions in Exeter and Torquay. In 2002, Emma embraced the opportunity to broaden her experience by applying for a rotational speciality post in Birmingham.  She quickly discovered a passion for renal dietetics during her initial rotation in renal care, a field she has remained dedicated to ever since.

Over the years, Emma has developed comprehensive expertise across all aspects of renal dietetics, from pre-dialysis care to transplantation.   However, for more than 15 years, her focus has been primarily on haemodialysis, with a particular interest in managing chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and improving the quality of life for people living with kidney disease.

In addition to her clinical work, Emma has been an active volunteer with the Renal Nutrition Group (Kidney Dietitian Specialist Group), most recently serving as the meeting organiser. She is also currently the West Midlands Chair of the Dietitians group within the Midland Kidney Network and has successfully completed a Non Medical Prescribing qualification to further enhance her professional skills.  Emma was successful in becoming a Dialysis Society Fellow where she is exploring making the most of the dialysis session.

Karen is a Senior Clinical Academic fellow at the University of Hertfordshire, an Acute Injury Nurse Specialist at the Lister hospital and Dialysis Society Fellow. She has worked as a renal nurse for over 20 years and has experience of acute and outpatient haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and transplantation. Karen was also a senior lecturer in nursing and clinical practice, prior to her current roles and continues to work at a national level to improve renal education, standardise practice and improve nursing care. Her current research is about exploring the experience of young adults on in-centre haemodialysis and exploring making the most of the dialysis session.

Siobhán Freeman is the Team Lead Physiotherapist for the Renal Rehabilitation and Exercise Team at King's College Hospital London. With almost a decade of experience in acute medicine, spanning critical care, vascular surgery, major trauma, amputee rehabilitation, frailty and haematology, she brings a holistic, patient-centred perspective to renal rehabilitation. Siobhán is deeply committed to empowering patients to live well with renal disease, drawing on education, active listening, and motivational interviewing to promote health literacy and long-term wellbeing within the renal population. Her practice is grounded in compassion, empathy, and a firm belief in the transformative power of tailored rehabilitation.

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Faye has had kidney problems since childhood. She was on dialysis as a child and had a transplant aged 16 at Pendlebury in Liverpool. Her transplant lasted until her early 30’s and since this she has been on PD and is currently training to do home HD. Alongside this she has also had to undergo treatment for cancer. Faye was part of the transplant choir and has attended the young adults weekend. She is keen to talk and use her experiences to help others.