We run the only free to call UK Helpline dedicated to kidney patients with two fully trained, personally experienced advisers providing a 5 day per week service to kidney patients, carers and healthcare professionals and renal units.

The NKF Helpline 0800 169 09 36 is open from:

Monday – Thursday 08:30 am – 5:00 pm

Friday 08:30 am – 12:30 pm

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The NKF Helpline is also the UK’s largest provider of kidney-related medical information leaflets with a library of over 200 titles written by nephrologists in simple language for patients and carers. 

Since 1999, the NKF Helpline has been a vital resource for kidney patients.

Operating from Monday to Friday, our lines are staffed by dedicated Helpline advisers, Linda and Stephen. Both are extensively trained professionals committed to directly addressing any questions posed by callers.

Linda and Stephen bring a wealth of expertise to the Helpline which includes lived experience and direct peer support. Stephen, a kidney patient himself, who has been twice transplanted and has been on dialysis, not only possesses in-depth knowledge about kidney-related matters but can also empathise with callers on a personal level. Linda, having been a caregiver for her late husband with kidney disease, adds a unique perspective and has previous experience as an advocacy officer for kidney patients.

Their extensive knowledge spans various topics, ensuring that callers receive the highest quality information. Beyond medical inquiries, Linda and Stephen offer assistance with diverse matters such as travel insurance, benefits advice, renal diet information, and holiday-related queries. Additionally, they excel in signposting callers to specialised services of the highest quality. The NKF Helpline stands as a reliable and comprehensive support system for individuals navigating the complexities of kidney-related concerns.

Call Stephen or Linda on 0800 169 09 36 and have a chat with someone who understands. 

The NKF Helpline can provide information about chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis, transplantation, living donation as well as benefits information, dietary advice and holiday information.

Patient cards

The NKF have designed a patient card to go in your purse or wallet to alert paramedics in an emergency, this will tell them that you are a kidney patient and to take care. These cards are being offered to dialysis and transplant clinics but if you would like one sending free of charge in the post, please click here.

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Our advisers Stephen and Linda are waiting to help on 0800 169 09 36.

Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for their financial support of the NKF Helpline. National Kidney Federation Kidney Issues Patient Information.

NKF information is strictly document controlled to ensure that the information provided is reviewed every three years, so it is always up to date.

Whether you require a single leaflet for yourself, or bulk quantities for a renal unit, hospital or Kidney Patient Association, just call the Helpline number 0800 169 09 36, or e-mail us at: [email protected]

You can read the information on the topics listed below by clicking the name. From there you can also download a PDF of the information if you wish.

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Patient Support Pack

We have produced a Patient Support Pack to help you on your kidney journey. This booklet has been designed for people who have been newly diagnosed with kidney disease and must decide what will be the best treatment options for them and to understand kidney disease and dialysis. To order a copy contact the Helpline number 0800 169 09 36, or e-mail us at: [email protected]

NKF Helpline Patient Information

Are you kidney aware
What is kidney disease?
Types of kidney disease
What are the symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease?
Treatment for kidney disease
Living with kidney disease
Questions to ask your GP or renal consultant
Glossary of renal related terms
Know your numbers - Dialysis
Know your numbers - Transplant

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Information packs

Benefits pack 
Dietary Information Pack to view the flyer  Click here
CKD stage 3 information pack to view the flyer Click here
Exercise for kidney patients pack to view the flyer Click here
Pre - Transplant Information Pack (Folder with 10 information leaflets)
Post - Transplant Information Pack (Folder with 11 information leaflets)
Dialysis Information Pack to view the flyer Click here

 *Contact the Helpline for any of the packs listed above 0800 169 0936* [email protected] 

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Kidney basics

About the kidneys
Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
I've got kidney disease
How to cope with established renal failure
The emotional impact of CKD
Resilience Beyond Challenges: Confronting Depression while Managing Kidney Disease   
Cholesterol and kidney disease
Calculating kidney function
High blood pressure
Frequently asked questions
Acute kidney injury (AKI)
Preventing AKI’s  
Kidney biopsy
The Renogram
End of Life Care for Renal Patients
Conservative Management in Kidney Disease
Carer's Information; Helping your loved one manage their renal condition     
Employers Guide to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Acidosis in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Type 1 distal Renal Tubular Acidosis (dRTA)
Chronic Kidney Disease associated Pruritus (CKD-aP)        *NEW SEPTEMBER 2024*

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Kidney disease

Amyloidosis
Iron deficiency anaemia and chronic kidney disease
Anaemia
Diabetes and the kidney
Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis
Glomerulonephritis
Haematuria
Henoch-schonlein purpura
IgA nephropathy
IgM nephropathy
Interstitial nephritis
Kidney cysts
Loin pain - haematuria syndrome
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN)
Minimal change nephropathy
Myeloma and kidney disease
Nephrotic syndrome in adults
Pain in kidney or urine diseases
Proteinuria
Renal Artery stenosis
Small or single kidney
Twelve steps towards pain control
Urinary infections
Vasculitis
Calciphylaxis Information  
Alports syndrome
Bones, calcium, phosphate and PTH in kidney failure
Fabry disease
Good mouth care in established renal failure
Green nephrology
Lupus and lupus kidney disease
Reflux
BK Virus

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Polycystic kidney disease

Adult or polycystic kidney disease
Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease

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Home Dialysis

Myth Busting Home Dialysis : Information from Baxter Healthcare Ltd Download this PDF

Home Dialysis Resource Centre

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Haemodialysis

Introduction to haemodialysis
Home dialysis the advantages
Dialysis line insertion
Fistula care
Having a Fistula For Dialysis
Living with a fistula for dialysis
Home Dialysis Peer Support Service    
My First Haemodialysis      
Fluid Balance on Dialysis
Dialysis after dark - Journey to Nocturnal Dialysis

    

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Peritoneal dialysis

Introduction to Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

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Drugs

Blood Pressure Medication
Medication for immunosuppression and prevention of infections in kidney patients
Commonly taken drugs for kidney failure
Over the counter drugs
What are SGLT-2 Inhibitors?          

What are statins?   

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Sexual relationships in kidney failure

Sex problems with renal failure
Sexual relationship in kidney failure for men
Sexual relationship in kidney failure for women
Sexual relationship in kidney failure having children

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Exercise

New "Exercises for Kidney Patients"  information from the NKF and Leicester Kidney Lifestyle Team to download this pdf Click here

Useful exercises which you can do indoors
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has produced an exercise video, designed for people whose lives have been affected or disrupted by Covid-19.
Helping people living with kidney disease to move more and be active
Staying fit with kidney disease
Can I safely exercise with high blood pressure?

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Holiday series

Holiday dialysis UK
Holiday companies
Travel insurance
Holiday tips and guidelines
Holiday guidelines for PD patients
Holiday guidelines for HD patients
Holiday guidelines for transplant patients
Holiday/travel vaccinations in transplant patients
Tips to keep cool in hot weather

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Transplantation series

The transplant phone call: What to expect 
The transplant procedure – What to expect 
After my transplant - What to expect
Are work and a normal life possible after a transplant?
Blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease & circulation problems
Cancer after kidney transplantation
Diabetes after transplantation
How long does the transplant operation take?
How are kidneys allocated?
How long is the wait for a kidney?
Infection after transplantation
Is kidney transplantation psychologically stressful?
Kidney transplants from relatives and friends
Sexual problems following a transplant
Skin care in renal transplant patients
Top Tips
What are the complications of transplantation?
What is transplant rejection?
What drugs are needed after transplantation?
What is a kidney transplant?

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Living donor information

Living donor information
How do donors feel afterwards?
Reimbursement of living donor expenses

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Kidney disease and foot care

Charcot feet *Updated May 2024*

Foot ulcers *Updated May 2024*

Footwear *Updated May 2024*

Holiday feet *Updated May 2024*

Protecting your feet during dialysis New May 2024

Why is kidney disease a risk to your feet? New May 2024 

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Dietary

To request a Dietary Information Pack, call 0800 169 09 37 or email [email protected]. We need your full address to post this pack out to you.

Food With Thought: Tasty Recipes for Kidney Patients and their Families

Download Food with Thought PDF

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TASTE! Healthy eating for a Modern Lifestyle by Lawrence Keogh and Janet Brinkworth

Order your copy of Taste!

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Lawrence Keogh kidney care cookbook: Rediscovering Food & Flavours Click here

Healthy eating for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Phosphate in your Diet Fact Sheet     NEW DEC 2023 Information from the BDA Renal Nutrition Specialists Group

Potassium

The Eatwell Plate

Can kidney patients eat fruit and vegetables?

Renal patients and alcohol

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Benefits

Know your benefits

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Below are three videos produced by the team at North West London Kidney Care, Imperial College Health NHS Trust, they look at what causes chronic kidney disease (CKD), CKD - what should I eat and CKD - what are the treatments?

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Also available                                         

Help! I've got kidney failure: Your introduction to kidney failure and its treatment (booklet)

The Dialysis Decision Aid Booklet

The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor.

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Patient Cards

The NKF have designed a patient card to go in your purse or wallet to alert paramedics in an emergency, this will tell them that you are a kidney patient and to take care. These cards are being offered to dialysis and transplant clinics but if you would like one sending free of charge in the post, please fill the form in below to receive your card in the post.

                                                                                      

 Supported by Chiesi Limited 

Action Kidney Cancer is the UK’s largest and most active patient-led kidney cancer charity. We provide personal and practical support, up-to-date information and patient advocacy for kidney cancer patients and their families across the whole of the United Kingdom. Helpline 0800 121 8721 Website Click here

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The NKF Helpline 0800 169 09 36 is open from:

Monday – Thursday 08:30 am – 5:00 pm

Friday 08:30 am – 12:30 pm