Over the weekend of 22nd - 23rd September 2023, the National Kidney Federation (NKF) charity celebrated its 45th anniversary by hosting its Annual Patients’ Event. The event, which was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel located at the East Midlands Airport, united patients, families, and healthcare professionals from across the UK.

Attendees had the opportunity to connect with peers, build new relationships, and receive support in a social kidney community setting. A range of insightful presentations from professional and patient guest speakers covered a wide range of topics including benefits advice, kidney networks, vascular access, and staying active with kidney disease.

The event was a significant moment for the National Kidney Federation and attendees alike as it was the first NKF face-to-face patient event in 4 years since the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions. The weekend event was organised to ensure that patients feel supported and are never alone in their journey surrounding their health and experiences with kidney disease.

Several guest speakers attended the event, including:
Dr. Sharlene Greenwood, a Consultant Physiotherapist at King’s College Hospital.

Aurang Zaib Khawaja MD, Vascular Surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Tess Harris, Chief Executive of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Charity.

Prof David Wheeler, Professor of Kidney Medicine.

Daljit Bains, Welfare Rights Officer for Renal.

Stephen Cass, London Kidney Network Director and Vicky Ashworth, North West Kidney Network Lead.

Andrew McAllister, who provided a patient's perspective on CKD and the power of positivity.

Exhibitors were also on hand to showcase a wide range of support from:
Beckton, Dickinson and Company, DaVita, B. Braun, The George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, Fresenius Medical Care, KDARS for Kids, Independence Products, England Transplant Football Club, PKD Charity, Kidney Care UK, Kidney Research UK, Health Tec Medical Ltd, iMEDicareUK, Renal Social Work, Stanningley Pharma and Gwynedd Hospital.

After a day of insightful speaker sessions, attendees enjoyed a delicious three-course meal alongside entertainment from a table magician and disco.

Overall, the Annual Patients’ Event was a successful initiative to raise awareness, continue with improvements to renal provision, connect, and provide support to patients and their families.

NKF Chief Executive, Andrea Brown commented; “It was a special moment to welcome everybody at the weekend to our Annual Patients’ Event, we haven’t had a face-to-face annual patient event since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so we have been eagerly anticipating this moment to unite with our wonderful kidney community. The event was well attended and was well received by our attendees, we are so pleased that we could provide support on this level. A big thank you goes out to all our of attendees, guest speakers, exhibitors and sponsors that made the weekend a great success.”

For NKF Annual Patient Event 2023 highlights, or to listen back to the speaker sessions, please visit the National Kidney Federation’s website:
www.kidney.org.uk/Event/national-kidney-federation-annual-patients-event-2023