How is the Welsh Government ensuring that underserved communities in Wales receive information related to symptoms of kidney disease and have acceptable access to diagnosis and treatment?
Approximately 6% of the Welsh population are affected by kidney disease, of which a proportion will progress to advanced kidney failure. The treatment for advanced kidney failure is transplantation or dialysis. The two types of dialysis offered include in-centre dialysis (patients attend a haemodialysis unit three times a week) and home dialysis (where patients undertake treatment themselves at home).
The Welsh Kidney Network is a sub-committee of Welsh Health Services Specialist Committee (WHSSC) and commissions these treatments for the adult population in Wales. The WHSSC Joint Committee works with health boards to develop its Integrated Commissioning Plan (ICP) and sets aside funding for growth in dialysis activity and price increases. The budget for 2023-24 is £82 million, which is allocated on a regional basis, as well as an element of funding to NHS England.
In order to meet future need and support service sustainability, a number of additional actions have been taken. The Welsh Government has provided £895,000 during 2022-24 to increase the number of patients choosing kidney transplant or using home therapy, as this improves outcomes and service sustainability. In addition, WHSSC has secured funding to increase capacity within dialysis units in Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypool, Cardiff, Welshpool, and Swansea, as well as satellite units in Carmarthen and Aberystwyth. New dialysis units are also expected to open in the Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot in 2024 and 2025.
Engagement and communication with kidney patients in Wales are essential to understanding the disease. The Wales Kidney Network website has been developed in conjunction with the third sector and patients to provide information on kidney health and how to live well with kidney disease. The Network also works with charities and patient groups to provide reliable patient education.
The Welsh Government, through Health and Care Research Wales, funds the Wales Kidney Research Unit. Health and Care Research Wales also funds a Kidney Research Speciality Lead whose role is to champion kidney research in the NHS and support the uptake of clinical trials related to kidney disease throughout Wales. The total funding for these research investments per year is:
2021-22 - £163,636
2022-23 - £237,702
2023-24 - £258,925
The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee and its Wales Kidney Network is responsible for monitoring patient outcomes.