If you would like to discuss your kidney diagnosis with our trained members of staff, ring our free-to-call number. The NKF Helpline is available Monday to Thursday 08:30 am - 5:00 pm Friday 8.30 am – 12.30 pm on 0800 169 09 36 or email [email protected]

This  information is for patients who are attending for regular haemodialysis sessions in the Renal Unit or at a satellite dialysis centre. It gives information on why dialysis is so important and what you should do if you want to miss a dialysis session.

Why is dialysis so important?

Dialysis is a treatment to remove waste products and fluid from your body when your kidneys are no longer able to do this.

If these waste products are allowed to build up, they can make you very unwell and if left untreated, can lead to death.

Your doctor has prescribed a dialysis programme for you that will reduce the amount of toxins in your blood and keep you feeling well. If you choose not to complete your full prescribed dialysis time, or miss a dialysis session, this can have a bad effect on your health and lead to other long term health problems.

Sometimes things happen that may mean you cannot attend for dialysis or you need to leave early. While it’s not advised you miss any of your prescribed treatment, the unit do understand and are more than happy to discuss rearranging a dialysis session in an emergency or for a special occasion. It is not advisable to miss regular dialysis sessions, and your doctor will discuss this at your clinic appointment

If you do decide that you do not wish to complete your prescribed treatment time, the nursing staff will ask you to sign a disclaimer form. 

This form is used to inform your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as these are the people that pay for your treatment.

What if I want to miss a dialysis session? 

It’s not advised that you miss a session. If you are feeling unwell, it is still important to attend for your dialysis as this may help you to feel better. 

However, if you wish to rearrange a dialysis session, please speak to the nurse in charge of the shift in advance. They will discuss with you your best option to ensure that you still achieve your prescribed dialysis treatment. 

If you do not wish to come for dialysis on the day you are due to attend, it is important that you take the following action: 

Please call your dialysis unit  and speak to the nurse in charge as early as possible before your appointment time. 

If you do not make contact with the dialysis unit, the nurses will attempt to contact you. If the nurses are unable to reach you, they will have to send out a paramedic ambulance to your address in case you have been taken ill and are unable to contact you. 

It is important that you make contact with the unit to avoid the nursing staff having to call out the emergency services.

Written May 2025
Next review June 2028

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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