Home Dialysis Peer Support Service

The National Kidney Federation Home Dialysis Peer Support Service has now been running since September 2021 and the service has been valuable for patients and carers who need some guidance and support for home therapies. Our team of volunteers have helped over 60 patients who have wanted to discuss home haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and in centre dialysis options. As well as supporting patients with home therapies, our volunteers have also helped people with working around home dialysis, travelling whilst on home dialysis and offering support when newly started patients on home dialysis have found it all a bit overwhelming.

Our 23 volunteers have been a huge help in the smooth running of the peer support service and have been very quick to do referrals and the feedback they have received from people is excellent.

Here is a quote from one patient who used our service.

“I am a Stage 5 kidney patient and have opted for peritoneal dialysis at home when my kidneys finally stop working. I found it very reassuring to talk to someone who has actually experienced it. Gill was very easy to talk to and answered all the questions I had. Although the nurses had explained the whole procedure, it was a relief to hear how it happens in practice. By the end of our conversation, I felt less anxious. I was quite worried about having to rely on a family member, but Gill said she managed to do everything on her own. I will definitely contact Gill again nearer the time.

It is good to know there is a service provided by the National Kidney Federation to help you make this very important decision and give the patient reassurance.”

The breakdown of people we have given home dialysis peer support to is below.

Information about the the NKF Home Dialysis Peer Support Service is getting around and it will continue to be promoted as widely as possible to ensure as many people as possible know about it.

Over 400 renal units had been contacted by the Helpline to tell them about our the NKF Home Dialysis Peer Support Service and many laminated posters sent. also, the peer supporters had put posters up in their units advertising their services.

The Helpline has built up a good connection with Jacqui Byfield who is from East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and our peer support volunteers have helped several patients from under that trust who have needed some peer support for Home Therapies and in centre dialysis.

In 2023 we will continue to promote our services and with our fantastic volunteers we will look to spread the word further to promote peer support. If you would like to know more about our peer support service please contact Stephen and Linda via the NKF Helpline on 0800 169 0936 or email helpline@kidney.org.uk.